COMELEC-Apayao finds gender gap in political participation; calls for women empowerment initiatives

Apayao, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec-Apayao) on Friday, May 16, noted gender disparity in political participation in the province, saying women have been slightly less active than men.

Said findings were based on Comelec’s Statistical Report on the number of registered voters, voters who actually voted, and voters’ turnout by sex during this year’s midterm polls. Apayao has a total of 83,441 registered voters comprising 43, 309 men and 40,132 women. However, only 72,548 or 86.95 percent of registered voters voted based on the voters’ turnout. Out of those who participated in terms of gender, records revealed that 37,776 or 52.07 percent were men and only 34,772 or 47.93 percent represented women.

The data showed men in the province are more actively engaged in politics than women relative to party membership, campaign activities, contact with politicians, political discourse, and other confrontational forms of involvement. According to COMELEC, men, therefore, tend to hold more leading positions within political parties and are more likely to be elected into office compared to women.

Apayao has seven (7) municipalities with six (6) men elected as Chief Executives and only one (1) female seated in the same position.

COMELEC Apayao led by Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Mae Richelle B. Chaudhary observed it as a gender gap in political participation in the province, therefore calling for more women empowerment initiatives to resolve what they consider it as an imbalance.

It is hoped that through the higher number of men leading as political leaders province-wide, there will be more programs and endeavors centered on strengthening women and their roles for the betterment of society.