FAMILY MISSIONS INTERNATIONAL

Women's Development

Women have always enjoyed greater equality in Philippine society than was common in other parts of Southeast Asia. Since pre-Spanish times, Filipinos have traced kinship bilaterally. A woman's rights to legal equality and to inherit family property have not been questioned. Education and literacy levels in 1990 were higher for women than for men. President Aquino often is given as an example of what women can accomplish in Philippine society. The appearance of women in important positions, however, is not new or even unusual in the Philippines. Filipino women, usually called Filipinas, have been senators, cabinet officers, Supreme Court justices, administrators, and heads of major business enterprises. Furthermore, in the early 1990s women were found in more than a proportionate share of many professions although they predominated in domestic service (91 percent), professional and technical positions (59.4 percent), and sales (57.9 percent). Women also were often preferred in assembly-type factory work. The availability of the types of employment in which women predominated probably explains why about two-thirds of the rural to urban migrants were female. Although domestic service is a low-prestige occupation, the other types of employment compare favorably with opportunities open to the average man.

This favorable occupational distribution does not mean that women were without economic problems. Although women were eligible for high positions, these were more often obtained by men. In 1990 women represented 64 percent of graduate students but held only 159 of 982 career top executive positions in the civil service. In the private sector, only about 15 percent of top-level positions were held by women.

According to many observers, because men relegated household tasks to women, employed women carried a double burden. This burden was moderated somewhat by the availability of relatives and servants who functioned as helpers and child caretakers, but the use of servants and relatives has sometimes been denounced as the equivalent of exploiting some women to free others.

Since the Spanish colonial period, the woman has been the family treasurer, which, at least to some degree, gave her the power of the purse. Nevertheless, the Spanish also established a tradition of subordinating women, which is manifested in women's generally submissive attitudes and in a double standard of sexual conduct. The woman's role as family treasurer, along with a woman's maintenance of a generally submissive demeanor, has changed little, but the double standard of sexual morality is being challenged. Male dominance also has been challenged, to some extent, in the 1987 constitution. The constitution contains an equal rights clause--although it lacks specific provisions that might make that clause effective.

As of the early 1990s, divorce was prohibited in the Philippines. Under some circumstances, legal separation was permitted, but no legal remarriage was possible. The family code of 1988 was somewhat more liberal. Reflective of Roman Catholic Church law, the code allowed annulment for psychological incapacity to be a marital partner, as well as for repeated physical violence against a mate or pressure to change religious or political affiliation. Divorce obtained abroad by an alien mate was recognized. Although the restrictive divorce laws might be viewed as an infringement on women's liberty to get out of a bad marriage, indications were that many Filipinas viewed them as a protection against abandonment and loss of support by wayward husbands.

Overcoming Disappointment
Rev. Lisa Gilfillan

Lisa and Berin founded the International School of Ministry and WOW. Lisa's WOW vision came out of a burden to see women healed, both emotionally and physically. She shares on how to be set free from disappointment and depression.

• 3 Sessions

Ministry of the Holy Spirit
Dr. Pat Harrison

PPat leads Faith Christian Fellowship, Int'l., which works in 42 nations. Her endeavors include evangelism, church planting, Bible training centers, and vocational and humanitarian services. She speaks with a passion on the Holy Spirit.

• 3 Sessions

The Value of a Woman
Rev. Bobbie Houston

Bobbie and Brian Houston are the pastors of Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia. In these sessions, Bobbie shares how their church places value on women. She outlines how women can embrace their potential in God.

• 3 Sessions

AIDS Education
Dr. Carolyn Klaus, MD

Dr. Klaus founded Hope in View, a ministry addressing the AIDS crisis in a Biblical and compassionate way. This is an informative and life-changing overview on HIV and AIDS that every Christian should know.

• 1 Session

Difficulties in Leadership
Dr. Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer heads up one of the most successful ministries in the world. She is a best-selling author and a TV host. In these sessions, she gives practical advice on how to overcome the daily difficulties that leaders face.

• 2 Sessions

Being a Pastor's Wife
Dr. betty Price

Betty Price has stood by her husband, Dr. Fredrick Price, pastor of Crenshaw Christian Center, for 50 years. In this session, she shares how she overcame cancer and explains the key to strengths you need to be a pastor's wife.

• 1 Session

Overcoming Grief
Rev. Cheryl Salem

Cheryl was Miss America, but did not get there without overcoming trials. In this intimate series, she shares about the loss of her daughter and her subsequent battle with cancer. her testimony is one of hope and restoration.

• 2 Sessions

Women in Worship
Rev. Darlene Zschech

Darlene is the worship leader of Hillsong Church, Australia. She is also part of Hillsong's worship albums enjoyed worldwide. As a songwriter, minister, and mother, Darlene teaches on living life from a position of worship.

• 4 Sessions