Book Description

This thesis is a comparative study of how three important factors-social, political, and economic inclusion-affect gender equality and inequality in the Philippines and in Indonesia. The disparity between these two countries as published in the 2016 Global Gender Gap Report serves as the analytical basis for this comparison. On this scale, which assigns a number from 0 (gender inequality) to 1 (gender equality), the Philippines ranks in the top five percent of the 144 countries assessed for gender equality, with a score of 0.786 (7 of 144), whereas Indonesia ranks in the lower half with a score of 0.682 (88 of 144). The two countries share similarities on this issue: their respective women's movements began within a decade of one another, and the first female presidents of each country were seen as moral figures who could facilitate the transition to working democracy. Yet these countries also differ in terms of majority religion and population size. A major finding of this thesis is that the women's movements in the Philippines and in Indonesia were more productive in advancing the women's agenda than female leaders, although for different reasons. This thesis concludes by reflecting on main findings and providing policy recommendations and suggestions for future research. I. INTRODUCTION * A. MAJOR RESEARCH QUESTION * B. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION * C. LITERATURE REVIEW * 1. Gender Inequality on a Global Scale * 2. An Initial Look at Gender Inclusion in Indonesia and the Philippines * 3. The Relationship between Gender Equality and Economic and Political Development * 4. Potential Causal Factors * 5. Female Heads of State in the Philippines and Indonesia * D. POTENTIAL EXPLANATIONS AND HYPOTHESIS * E. RESEARCH DESIGN * F. THESIS OVERVIEW * II. ADVANCEMENTS IN GENDER EQUALITY: THE PHILIPPINES * A. SOCIAL INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN THE PHILIPPINES * B. THE MARCOS REGIME * C. THE FORMATION OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT * D. WOMEN IN THE LABOR FORCE * E. CORAZON AQUINO'S PRESIDENCY AND THE WOMEN'S AGENDA * 1. The Political System in the Philippines after Martial Law * 2. Women's Political Parties in the Philippines * 3. Policies Focusing on the Women's Agenda under Aquino * 4. Transitioning after Aquino * F. GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO' S PRESIDENCY AND THE WOMEN'S AGENDA * 1. Advancements in Women's Rights under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo * 2. Policies Focusing on the Women's Agenda under Arroyo * G. GENDER EQUALITY TODAY IN THE PHILIPPINES * 1. Economic Empowerment of Women * 2. Political Participation of Women. * 3. Violence against Women. * III. ADVANCEMENTS IN GENDER EQUALITY: INDONESIA * A. SOCIAL INCLUSION OF WOMEN IN INDONESIA * B. INDONESIA COLONIALIZATION AND POLITICS UNDER SUKARNO * C. THE FORMATION OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT * D. POLITICS UNDER SUHARTO * E. THE REFORMATION OF THE WOMEN'S MOVEMENT * F. MEGAWATI SUKARNOPUTRI'S PRESIDENCY AND THE WOMEN'S AGENDA * G. GENDER EQUALITY TODAY IN INDONESIA * 1. Economic Empowerment of Women * 2. Political Participation of Women * 3. Violence against Women * IV. CONCLUSION * A. MAIN FINDINGS * B. POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS * C. IMPLICATIONS