Work It: A Forum on Gender and Job (In)Security

MANILA, Philippines (2nd UPDATE) – Let’s face it: gender biases still exist in Philippine society. But how is it affecting a woman’s chance of employment? Does her gender “threaten” her job in any way?

It’s 2014. Are women still facing difficulties in entering a certain industry because of their identities? Do companies hire or reject applicants based on who they are? How do women cope if barriers to job access are put in their paths? How are women able to rise above these difficulties and succeed in their careers?

Yes, it’s 2014. But sometimes, women still face age-old challenges. Do women tinker with their dreams in order to fit certain job requirements, or do they push forward with what they want to achieve despite obstacles?

So many questions, so many issues. But the fact still remains that when it comes to job security, women sometimes feel insecure.

Whether they are gainfully employed, self-employed or underemployed, sometimes gender issues come to play in transactions. Are they looked over in promotions? Are women-led businesses trusted more or trusted less by suppliers? Do they experience bias in some company policies such as leaves?

Insecurity could also seep into women’s personal lives, not just the professional aspect. Is there really such a thing as “work-life balance” especially for working mothers who have to juggle duties in the household and the workplace?

It’s 2014 alright, and it’s time to ask more questions – because we still need answers. How do women whip out such battles? What could agencies do to help women achieve true emancipation in the workplace or job industries? And what do women themselves do to fully emancipate themselves?

To close the celebration of March as Women’s Month, Rappler, together with Pantene, hosted a forum entitled “Work it! A Forum on Gender and Job (In)Security” on Saturday, March 29 at the Asian Institute of Management.

See photos from the event below.

This forum aimed to surface the various issues that beset different women’s sectors in relation to job hunting, underemployment, career hindrances and working towards having gender justice go hand-in-hand with economic empowerment. It also discussed ways on how certain sectors have risen above oppressive situations and reclaimed their path towards success.

This forum was moderated by Rappler’s regular contributor for topics on women’s sexual rights Ana P. Santos and award winning artist Nikki Luna. Watch the different parts of the event below.

Work It: Where do women work?

Work It: Jobs and women’s identity

Work It: Women in the white collar setting

Our speakers included (in alphabetical order):

Beth Angsioco is an internationally acclaimed women’s rights advocate and the head of the Democratic Socialist Women of the Philippines (DSWP), a national federation of 157 accredited grassroots, community, & sector-based women’s organizations.

Sen. Pia Cayetano is the youngest woman elected as senator and is a women’s rights and health advocate. She has consistently pushed for the passage of laws benefitting women, children and the elderly and improvement of public health services for the poor and marginalized.

Jean Enriquez is the Executive Director of the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women – Asia Pacific (CATW–AP), a non-government organization that works to end human trafficking and exploitation of women and children around the world. She also helped pass the Anti Trafficking Law in the Philippines. 

Risa Hontiveros is the current AKBAYAN Citizens’ Action Party chairperson. As a former congresswoman, she co–authored the Reproductive Health Law and filed the Cheaper Medicines Law and the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with Reforms (CARPER) Law. 

Luvy Villanueva is the former project manager of the Gender-Responsive Economic Actions for the Transformation of Women under the Philippine Commission of Women (PCW). It is a governance and capacity development project that aims to promote and support a gender-responsive enabling environment for women’s economic empowerment, particularly those in microenterprises.

Various women’s groups like the Gay and Lesbian Activist Network for Gender Equality Inc. (GALANG), Society of Transsexuals of the Philippines (STRAP), and Malayang Tinig ng Kababaihan (MATINIK) were represented.

Members of the academe from various universities and colleges, professionals working on corporate human resources, trainers and recruiters of BPOs/ call center industry, female corporate employees of multinational companies were also present. 

Follow the discussion with our live blog:

– Rappler.com