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Transcript of Activity 1
Alvarez, Marjorie
Coquia, Raisa
Ramones, Geraline Mae
GOVPHIL A51
Activity 1: Narrative about Patriarchal Politics
Patriarchal Politics- how you ever heard or read the existence of such concept?
Primarily, one can immediately understand it since patriarchal politics is composed of two words
namely: patriarchy and politics. There are various definitions for the root words but let us just
give basic definitions. Patriarchy is usually defined as the male being the head or main figure in
any organization or society, whereas politics is known as to who gets what, when and how as
popularized by Harold Lasswell. One may infer that these two concepts are apart and cannot be
integrated, but contrary to it, the notion of patriarchal politics is present. Broadly speaking,
patriarchal politics mostly talks about having majority of the politicians whether elected or
appointed are male or men, also, much of the representation, power and authority are massively
given to masculine figures. This concept of patriarchal politics have grown and evolved through
time in various countries and societies. Patriarchal politics is more likely the political sphere for
the male.
The Philippines is a concrete example of patriarchal politics. Historically, from the time of
Emilio Aguinaldo up to President Noynoy Aquino, there were only two female presidents;
namely Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. And in relation to this, based from what
we know, if we are not mistaken, it was only Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo who was the female vice-
president. Fortunately, with regards to senators and lower political positions, there are handful
of women. The history already tells us that women’s political participation in the Philippines is
not as vague as men’s participation. Filipinos, indeed, have this mentality that the men should
be the sole head of the state. Ironically, we have this thought that women, with regards to
population, are more than men, so how come that there is no girl power in the Philippines? May
be, it is cultured into us that men are always superior to women. But, from then until now,
having various types of presidents, the Philippines have not progressed so much, actually, one
can say that the Philippines is moving backwards. There is no quite difference on how male and
female politicians control the country. A noticeable dissimilarity is that a male president tends to
be more of an authoritarian or a dictator, while a female president tends to do things that will
allow her countrymen and women to cherish her. Aside from the politicians, majority of the
representatives from the civil society (NGOs and POs) are male since they are more active in
pursuing programs that they want the government to do. There is a good conducive
environment for the civil society in the country because over the decades, the government is
trying its best to adhere and solve the issues and concerns being raised by the civil society.
Patriarchal politics will always perpetuate specially in patriarchal societies. It will be
difficult to eradicate patriarchal politics because in most cultures it is already instilled that men
are above women and people do not even perceive that there is the existence of patriarchal
politics. Despite all of these, people should remember that men and women should be treated
fairly and justly specifically in the political sphere. Women are not vulnerable as what men can
see; women have values of forbearance, ability to sacrifice and steadfastness. There should be
legal and political equality for both men and women. It is time to alter our mindsets because
politics is not about the gender of the leaders but the ability and capacity he or she has to take
over and bring the country towards success- politics is beyond gender.