EDITORIAL - Think equal, build smart, innovate

Filipino women continue to break gender barriers and are among the most empowered in the world. In the latest Gender Gap Report released last December by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines ranked eighth among 149 countries, rising from 10th place in the previous year.

The report measures gender parity in the areas of health, education, economic participation and political empowerment. The Philippines saw its ranking slip in health and survival, but it maintained its high rankings in the three other pillars.

The country has some of the most stringent laws to promote gender parity and protect women from various forms of discrimination, harassment, abuse and violence. President Duterte has earned flak for his intemperate remarks about women, with critics fearing that his statements encourage abusive behavior and violence against women. But he has also actively pushed for reproductive health measures and has just enacted a law expanding maternity leave to over 100 days.

Filipino women have much to celebrate as International Women’s Day is marked today. But there is also a wide room for further improvement. Many Filipino women in low-income households continue to be unaware of their rights and privileges as guaranteed by law. Domestic violence persists, with those tasked to enforce the law unable or unwilling to do it. Trafficking of women and girls, for exploitative labor or the flesh trade, continue both within the country and among those deployed overseas.

This year’s theme for Women’s Day is “think equal, build smart, innovate for change.” The theme recognizes barriers in the way of women empowerment. It also notes a growing digital divide between men and women, and continuing female under-representation in science and technology, engineering, mathematics and design. There’s room for greater female involvement in mobile banking, artificial intelligence and the internet of things.

Even as Filipino women celebrate this special day, there’s always more that can be done to empower women and girls. Gender equality is still many years away and needs sustained effort to be achieved.