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SPECIAL FEATURE
WOMEN In Philippine Society
by Editor Laura Andal
With the U.S. presidential elections Mrs. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,
was again elected as President of
looming, the Democratic candidate
for President of the United States, the Republic of the Philippines. At
present, the incumbent Vice-
former Vice President Joseph Biden,
has now selected his running mate. President is a woman. In terms of
gender equality, we can say that
He chose a black female for his vice
president, Senator Kamala Harris. The Philippines has been ahead of
Should Vice President Biden and America for many, many years.
Senator Kamala Harris win this
November, she would be the first Despite the “machismo” traits that
female vice president of the United United States of America’s Senator characterize the Filipino society, the
States of America. His choice of KAMALA HARRIS Philippines has been kind to its
running mate was the first critical women. Filipinos pride themselves
decision made by Vice President on having a more egalitarian society
Biden. It could make or break his among nations insofar as gender
candidacy. Vice-President Biden’s relations are concerned. Filipino
dilemma now is: would his choice women attain equal, if not more,
help him win the national election? education as men do. In the
The vice-president being a heart-beat professional field, women excel
away from the presidency, the bigger alongside men even in traditionally
question in that scenario is: Is “male” disciplines such as
America ready to have a woman medicine, engineering, and other
president? sciences. Women leaders occupy
high government positions and
When Ninoy Aquino, the putative have some hands or control over
Former President of the Philippines
opposition candidate to former CORAZON C. AQUINO the direction of the country.
President Ferdinand Marcos, was
assassinated in 1986, political Filipino women’s dominance at
leaders joined by the Catholic home is equally undeniable. The
Church, urged his widow Mrs. home is the Filipino women’s
Corazon Aquino to run for President. sphere of most substantial
When she did, the debate was not influence. Rich or poor, employed
whether the Philippines was ready or stay-at-home, they set the
for a woman president, but whether policies for child-rearing, preside
she was ready for the Philippines. over domestic activities, and
The Philippine electorate spoke, and govern the house. Cognizant of
in 1986 with the world’s attention, these, advertisers direct their
the Philippines, fraught with turmoil marketing strategies towards
and instability, was entrusted in the women.
hands of a woman. Several years Former President of the Philippines
later, another woman, in the name of GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
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