Gender refers to the culturally-imposed characteristics that define

masculinity and femininity.

Sex is an unchanging aspect of a person’s identity while gender,
being a social contract, is a fluid concept that changes depending
on the mores, norms and values exposed by a particular society.
Gender Role refers to specific tasks and behaviors expected of a
person by virtue of his or her sex.
Gender Identity is another important concept which refers to how
a person identifies himself or herself as belonging to a particular
gender.
Men are expected to fit a certain “masculine” behavior which
is characterized by assertiveness, courage, and independence.
Females identify with the female gender and perform roles
associated with being a woman which typically includes
performing domestic roles and behaviors that reflect
gentleness and sensitivity.
Gender defines stratification and new studies have brought to
light how it also defines social hierarchy and imposes certain
divisions and limitations on certain groups.
Women are most vulnerable to gender inequality given that
majority of societies adopt a patriarchal system of social
organization.
Patriarchy refers to the socially sanctioned and systematic
domination of males over females, and this is expressed in
various aspects of society.
The Philippines has shown great progress with regard to
addressing gender inequality. Filipino women have been
enjoying more rights and their participation and influence in
work and politics have increased.
Despite the gains, there are still aspects of gender equality
that remain in many areas of Philippine society.
Career women who are successful in various professions
continue to face social stigma because their chosen careers
conflict with society’s demands on women to take on
conventional responsibilities such as rearing children and
housework.
In the political arena, women have made some inroads
toward greater political participation.
Since the end of the Second World War, women have been
elected to more political positions and have wielded greater
responsibilities in government.
However, women still continue to function within a
framework dominated by men, and most women who hold
influential positions in politics and business often conform to
standards that are more male-oriented.
In the Philippines, although Filipinos have had two female
presidents, social commentators point out that these women
happen to be related to male political personalities.
Corazon Aquino Gloria Arroyo
 Was the widow  Is the daughter of
of the late former president
Senator Benigno Diosdado
Aquino. Macapagal.
Critics also have pointed out that the administrations of these
presidents have done little to promote the cause of women
empowerment.
Socialization also contributes to gender inequality.
A more disturbing aspect of gender inequality is its tendency
to result in violence, particularly violence directed against
women.
Over the past decades, various groups and advocacies have
brought gender equality to much wider attention through
conduct of various fora that inspired debate and discussion in
wider circles worldwide.
UNITED NATIONS
Has been actively supporting women’s rights through its
various official resolutions and declarations.
In 1979, the UN adopted the Convention on the Elimination of
all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
This document eventually became as the International Bill of
Rights for Women.
The increased awareness of gender inequality also gave rise to
studies that proposed varied views on the nature of gender
inequality in society.
 FUNCTIONALISTS stress the notion that gender
differences and the sexual division of labor contribute to social
stability and integration.
However, feminist approaches REJECT the idea that Gender
Inequality is NATURAL.
LIBERAL FEMINISTS explain gender inequality in terms
of social and cultural attitudes.
 RADICAL FEMINISTS, on the other hand, argue
that men are responsible for the exploitation of women
patriarchy.
 BLACK FEMINISTS identifies factors such as class
and ethnicity, in addition to gender, as essential for
understanding the oppression experienced by non-
white women.
In recent decades, another dimension of gender inequality has
become prominent.
Gays and Lesbians, have been the object of discrimination and
have become more active in seeking equality.
In some societies, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT)
movements are seeking legally-mandated protection from
discrimination in employment, education, and social benefits.
The recent 2015 decision of the United States Supreme
Court to recognize same-sex marriages or union was a
victory for these groups.

There are however still many forms of gender

discrimination that gays, lesbians, and other groups face.