The women’s movement: Policy issues, influence and constraints

Abstract

This chapter examines the factors that shaped the development and policy impact of the women’s movement in the Philippines. The prominence of organized religion, i.e., the Roman Catholic Church, in politics and public life as well as the fragmentation of the Philippine left and the resulting political and ideological conflicts and competition among women’s groups are discussed to explain the differential policy impact of the movement. Despite significant advances in women’s rights, restrictive laws and policies still exist including the ban on divorce, the criminal prohibition on abortion without any clear exceptions, and delisting of emergency contraception