Philippines

Founded: January 2022

The Philippines has done well in terms of international metrics of gender equality. The country is a signatory to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other international instruments. It has also enacted local policies such as Republic Act 9710 “AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN” which affirms the role of women in nation-building and ensures substantive equality of women and men. 

There has been a move towards better feminization in traditionally male-dominated healthcare professions, such as physicians and physiotherapists. In leadership, however, there continues to be a dearth of women who have filled up key positions. Only 4 out of the 14 appointed Secretaries of Health have been female. Additionally, the average monthly salary of health and medical professionals in the Philippines is lower for females than for males. There continues to be a dearth of information in the hurdles women face in fulfilling their roles as health professionals and in assuming more leadership roles in the local and global health arena.

With the goal of filling this information gap and using this as a basis for actions to ensure equal participation of women in the health sector, Women in Global Health – Philippines (WGH-Ph) was established in January 2022 and officially launched in April 2022. WGH-Ph is hosted by the Alliance for Improving Health Outcomes, Inc.

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Our aims

WGH Philippines plans to initially focus its activities on three activities: Research, Mentorship, and Advocacy, and instill a learning process in this work. The emphasis and thematic focus could evolve as we improve our understanding of Filipino women’s participation in public health.

Key accomplishments

  • WGH-Ph was formally launched during the World Health Worker Week last 4-8, April 2022.
  • The chapter interest survey form was launched, with 21 individuals signaling their interest in working with the country chapter.
  • WGH-Ph member, Lynnell Alexie Ong, was chosen as one of WGH’s delegates to the 75th World Health Assembly held last 22-28 May 2022.
  • Beginning June 2022, monthly newsletters containing up dates on WGH, opportunities, and reading materials are being sent out to stakeholders.
  • WGH-Ph’s Martha de la Paz provided a lecture on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) last 14 June 2022. This lecture was co-sponsored by WGH-Ph and hosted by AIHO with the aim to be better allies to the LGBTQIA+ community.
  • WGH-Ph onboarded two medical students as interns last June 2022.
  • The country chapter held its 1st Chapter Networking Activity last 10 September 2022. 
  • WGH-Ph’s Martha de la Paz represented the country chapter in the historic WGH Peer to Peer Event in Nairobi, Kenya held last 24-28 September 2022.
  • WGH-Ph received a microgrant award from WGH and aims to implement the following activities from November 2022 to October 2023:
    • Understand
      • Scoping review to generate local evidence in the experience of Filipino women in public health
      • Policy review to identify policy provisions for Filipino women working in the health sector
      • Exploratory research to document the experiences of lesbian, bisexual, and trans women in public health in the Philippines
      • Profile women leaders in the public health sector to create awareness on the importance of women’s leadership
    • Networking
      • Networking events for identified and interested stakeholders
      • Meetings with government agencies and civil society organizations to identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership
    • Strengthen
      • Strategic planning to define the chapter’s goals and milestones
  • Co-Convener Kim Sales was part of WGH’s in-person delegation to the 76th World Health Assembly.
  • Co-Convener Katherine Ann Reyes was selected as a Harvard LEAD Fellow for the 2023-2024 cohort.
  • The chapter represented Women in Global Health at the 74th WHO WPRO Regional Committee Meeting and delivered a statement on health security.

 

Our leaders

  • Convenors: 
    • Pura Angela Wee Co
    • Reneepearl Kim Sales
    • Katherine Ann Reyes
  • Secretariat:
    • Lynnell Alexie Ong
  • Core Group Members: 
    • Martha de la Paz
    • Lindsay Orsolino

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