ASSESS THE IMPACT OF GLOBALIZATION ON GENDER EQUALITY IN THE PHIILIPPINES

Our world today is fast changing than ever and one of the greatest change we are experiencing is related to globalization. “The term globalization is widely used to describe a variety of economic, cultural, social and political change that have shaped the world over the last fifty (50) years (Guttal, 2010).” It is treated to be the product of fast phasing technological change, societal and economic progress. Song (2006) likewise claims that globalisation “encompasses myriad fluid networks of increased human communication and interaction, global consciousness, system of interdependence and societal restructuring with far reaching consequences” (Song 2006, cited by Metcalfe and Reese, 2010).

But when doesglobalisation begun in the Philippines? Does it come during the Spaniard colonization, the American occupation or probably during the arrival in Manila of thosestately galleons from Mexico. According to O’Rourke and Williamson, globalisation existed even during the time of Columbus, but its dramatic change in almost all parts of the world has been felt only during the dawn of the nineteenth century (O'Rourke& Williamson,2004). As globalization progresses in the Philippines, it had brought both positive and negative impacts specifically on women. Women has always been considered in the context of globalization, since they are the ones who always suffers itsnegative impact. Hence, their condition must always be considered in order to promote just, rational and fair globalization (Dejardin, 2009). The selling point of globalization is that it helped improved the economic condition of women. But this seems to be untrue specifically on the case of thosewomen in the working sector considering that they are always the one who is most vulnerable to the effects of globalisation (Dejardin, 2009). Thus, this essay will argue that indeed globalization has not significantly contributed to economic development and has worsened economic and social equality in the Philippines (Kwiatkowski 2005).It will tackle both the negative and positive impacts of globalization on gender equality as well as provides recommendations on how to deal and manage its negative impacts.

On the positive note, globalization had brought positive impacts on women…
(will add in details on the following …) * Increase employment for women * Developed self- esteem for women * Raised wage and income * Participation on governance * Access to information * Etc.

Nevertheless, despite the positive impacts brought by globalisation on gender equality, it seems that its negative impacts outweighs the former. In the Philippines, the social standing of Filipino women really take an aggregate transformation as an effect of globalization. If before Filipino women are confined on domestic duties such as doing household chores, taking care of their children, working in the farms, now, their status have changed. They are now more engaged on employment such as manufacturing, industries or more often on overseas jobs. Hence makes them more susceptible to risks and abuses. As pointed out by Fantastico (2002) globalisation has the following negative impacts on women:

a. conversion of farmland into industrial enclaves, malls and subdivisions displaces women farmers, thus pushing them to migrate to urban areas and abroad in search of jobs; b. poverty pushes professional women such as teachers, nurses, midwives to work into blue collar jobs in more industrialized countries; c. the concern for profit subject women workers to some exploitative labor requirement like forced overtime, high quotas, virginity test, birth control and the likes; d. it can also subject women workers to violence against women, sexual harassments, rape, physical abuses etc. |

Fantastico (2002). pg 8.

Other than those mentioned above, globalisation can also pose threat not only on the life of the women, but also in her family relationship. Once a women tends to migrate abroad for employment as a result of globalization, she can neglect her family obligation which can result to broken marriages, broken families and misguided children. If all these consequences happen, then it can add to the liability of the state as a whole and would not in any way help in the country’s progress.

(3rdTopic Sentence…Recommendations…) Regardless of the positive and negative impacts of globalization, the sure thing is, it is bound to stay and will continue to influence our lives day-by-day. It won’t stop neither could it be reversed. The only thing we can do is to sustain its positive effects and manage the negative ones. We can do this through having a strong public policy in a form of laws and legislation that could limit the influence of globalisation as well as laws that will protect the rights of women ,promote gender equality and foster women empowerment. The Philippines shall also endeavour to improve its economy so that migration can stop to be a “forced option” (Kakammpi, 1999 cited by Fantastico, 2002). This means provision of local employment opportunities and uplifting the living condition of the Filipinos. In this way, we could convert negative impacts of globalization into opportunities and therefore no one will regard globalization as threat but instead a help to improve both our economic and personal growth. (CONCLUSION) In conclusion, for globalization to be completely effective and beneficial for all, it must be fair, it must be just and it must not harm at the expense of another.

Reference List : (APA)

1. Dawn Metcalfe, B., & Rees, C. J. (2010). Gender, globalization and organization: Exploring power, relations and intersections. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: An International Journal, 29(1), 5-22. doi:10.1108/02610151011019183 2. 3. Dejardin, A.K. (2009). Gender (in)equality, Globalization and Governance. Geneva. ILO 4. Guttal, S. (2007). Globalisation. Development in Practice, 17(4), 523-531. doi:10.1080/09614520701469492 5. Iguiron – Fantastico, C. (2002) Gender Issues in Globalization- Related Legislations, Senate Debates and Impact on Women. Paper presented during the Townsville International Women’s Conference entitled “Poverty, Violence and Women’s Right: Setting a Global Agenda. Queensland Australia 6. O'Rourke, K. H., & Williamson, J. G. (2004). Once more: When did globalisation begin?. European Review of Economic History, 8(01), 109-117. 7. Kwiatkowski, L.(2005). Introduction: Globalisation, Change and Diversity in the Philippines.UrbanAnthropolgy