The Philippines is making strides toward greater economic equality for women, according to a recent comprehensive assessment of laws and practices across 190 economies.
The study reveals improvements in legal frameworks and supportive policies designed to empower women, with the nation’s scores exceeding both global and East Asia and Pacific averages in several key areas.
The assessment doesn’t just look at what the laws *say*, but how they function in reality. While the Philippines boasts strong legal foundations – scoring 73 out of 100 – the report highlights a significant gap between legal promise and practical enforcement, scoring 54 in that crucial area.
The analysis covered ten vital aspects of women’s economic lives, from workplace safety and mobility to access to credit and retirement benefits. These factors collectively determine a woman’s ability to fully participate in the economy.
Despite overall progress, challenges remain. The Philippines lags behind several Southeast Asian neighbors – including Vietnam, Timor Leste, and Singapore – in overall scores, indicating a continued need for focused reforms.
A notable achievement for the Philippines was the enactment of the Philippine Passport Act, a reform specifically addressing mobility rights for married women. This law allows women to retain their maiden names on passports, removing a previously burdensome requirement.
This reform was part of a larger global trend, with 68 economies enacting 113 positive legal changes over the past two years. Many of these focused on bolstering entrepreneurship and strengthening protections against violence.
The report underscores a critical global issue: while laws often appear adequate on paper, their actual implementation and enforcement are severely lacking. The average score for law enforcement drops dramatically to 53, and implementation scores plummet to just 47.
Experts emphasize that true equality hinges on safety. Without protection from violence – at home, in the workplace, and in public spaces – women are significantly hindered in their ability to work and contribute fully to the economy.
Currently, the world possesses only a third of the safety laws needed to adequately protect women, and even those laws are poorly enforced 80% of the time. This represents a substantial obstacle to achieving genuine economic equality.
The Philippines’ overall score has risen since the previous assessment, demonstrating a positive trajectory. However, the report serves as a powerful reminder that progress requires not only enacting laws, but ensuring their effective and consistent application.
The findings highlight the urgent need to bridge the gap between legal frameworks and lived realities, creating a truly equitable environment where women can thrive economically and reach their full potential.
