OPH Asenso Squad EmpowerHer
EmpowerHer campaign emphasizes the importance of acknowledging the unpaid care work that women perform within households.
Oxfam Pilipinas, the Institute for Social Entrepreneurship in Asia, and the OCI Group have initiated the Asenso Squad, an online campaign that unites the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) community. This platform allows members to share their real-life experiences regarding breadwinning, unpaid care and domestic work, and gender equality.
The initiative, which is part of the "EmpowerHer: Integrating Gender Equality into MSME Business Practices in the Philippines" project, tackles the challenge of shared domestic responsibilities and their impact on women's employment opportunities. This project, backed by Investing in Women, a program of the Australian Government, also advocates for an equitable allocation of caregiving tasks among all household members.
“When household members share the responsibility of care work equally, it doesn’t just ease the burden on women—it builds stronger, more resilient households. It also gives everyone, regardless of gender, the chance to thrive both at home and in their careers,” says Lot Felizco, Executive Director of Oxfam Pilipinas.
She adds, “Women’s participation in economic activities brings a ripple effect—not only does it boost household incomes, but it also strengthens community economies and fosters inclusive growth. Redistributing care work is a crucial step in unlocking this potential.”
The initiative commences with a virtual forum titled 'Family or Career, Why Not Both? Let's Discuss How to Succeed at Home and in Life.' This forum emphasizes the impact of the disproportionate burden of unpaid care and domestic responsibilities placed on women in the average Filipino household, which restricts their chances to seek employment or engage in entrepreneurial activities that could provide financial support for the family.
Gender gap in the workplace
The Philippines dropped nine places to rank 25th in the 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. This index evaluates gender equality across four categories: economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival, and political empowerment.
The report showed the Philippines had 1.4 percentage points lower in overall economic participation and opportunity. The country dropped 5.3 and 2 percentage points in women’s share of legislators, senior officials, and managers, and perceived wage equality for similar work, respectively.
Research indicates that the increased burden of care work, which includes tasks such as laundry, cooking, cleaning, childcare, and support for the elderly or disabled, is a significant factor contributing to the reduced participation of women in the workforce. This work is often viewed as a traditional responsibility of women within the home.
A 2024 study by the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) corroborated the findings of the Global Gender Gap Report, revealing that only 0.8 percent of women (21.9 million) were employed, in contrast to 76 percent (30 million) of men. The study further highlighted that marriage and childbearing are linked to a notable decrease in women's engagement in the labor force, emphasizing that women typically assume domestic responsibilities while men engage in economic activities within Filipino households.
A 2021 study by Oxfam Pilipinas focused on unpaid care and domestic work found that women on average dedicate 6.5 hours a day to care work, which is three times more than men. It was also noted that girls spend more time on care work and total work compared to boys in the same age group.
Care work exposes women to potential injuries, illnesses, and various forms of harm. Participants in the study, regardless of gender, indicated that it was acceptable to physically assault and verbally abuse women, as well as to shame men for engaging in household chores.
Join the AsensoSquad Facebook group page to learn and share experiences on how to succeed at home and at work.
Oxfam Pilipinas
No comments: