On a recent episode of Simpol.ph’s podcast, in celebration of National Women’s Month, two leading advocates — Dr. Nathalie Verceles, a professor at the University of the Philippines’ Department of Women and Development Studies, and Thysz Estrada, chairperson of PANTAY and a longtime LGBTQIA+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual) rights activist — spoke candidly about the barriers that continue to marginalize women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Philippines.
Their discussion, at times hopeful, at times sobering, underscored the gaps in legal protections, the cultural norms that reinforce discrimination, and the work that remains unfinished.
For many Filipino women, inequality begins at home and follows them into every facet of their lives. “There are many [inequalities],” Verceles said. “A good way to start is by reflecting on how women are treated unfairly in families, workplaces, media, and even by the state.”
The root of this inequality lies in an economic system that persistently undervalues the work done by women. Filipino women remain disproportionately burdened with unpaid domestic work, limiting their opportunities for economic advancement. “Women are still expected to be caregivers, while men are seen as breadwinners. This leads to unpaid domestic labor that limits women’s ability to seek paid work and personal development,” she explained.
The numbers back her up. Women’s labor force participation in the Philippines is about 20 percent lower than men’s, a disparity that has contributed to the country’s declining position in the Global Gender Gap Index.
Political representation also remains an uphill battle beyond economics. “Only 2 out of 17 Philippine presidents have been women,” Verceles noted. “Women make up just 29 percent of the Senate and 27.7 percent of the House of Representatives. Only 19.5 percent of governors and 27 percent of city mayors are women.”
For LGBTQIA+ Filipinos, particularly trans women, these challenges are even more pronounced.
While women struggle against long-standing gender biases, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially trans women, face additional layers of exclusion. “Gender inequality has a huge impact on the LGBTQIA+ community,” Estrada said. “Since patriarchy already disadvantages women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, especially those who are gender non-conforming, face even greater challenges.”
She outlined three key struggles: “Effeminate men and trans women struggle to be taken seriously in leadership and decision-making roles because they are seen as weak; the LGBTQIA+ community remains a minority within a patriarchal society, limiting access to opportunities and resources; and LGBTQIA+ individuals often experience bias similar to women, but with added layers of exclusion based on gender identity and expression.”
Even where legal protections exist, enforcement remains inconsistent. “The Philippines has numerous policies and laws to support gender equality, but implementation remains weak,” Verceles said.
She pointed specifically to the lack of a comprehensive SOGIESC Equality Law — a proposed anti-discrimination bill that has been in legislative limbo for 25 years. “The country has laws like the Magna Carta of Women, the Anti-Violence Against Women and Children Act, and the Safe Spaces Act. However, their effectiveness is inconsistent due to varying interpretations and enforcement at local levels.”
Estrada agreed, noting that while some existing laws include LGBTQIA+ protections, they are often narrow in scope. “Some laws include LGBTQIA+ protection, but only in specific contexts, like the Safe Spaces Act, which addresses harassment but not broader discrimination,” she said. “The enforcement of existing laws also depends on the political will of leaders, leading to inconsistent outcomes.”
One recurring theme in the discussion was the role of Filipino men in advocating for gender equality. “Their role is incredibly important,” Estrada said. “When we talk about unequal gender relations, we must acknowledge that men hold more power, privilege, and rights than women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in society.”
But acknowledging privilege is not enough, she argued. Action is required.
“We cannot achieve equality or justice without men being part of the effort,” she said. “The conversation should not just be about equality; it must include action. Men, I hope you understand, it’s National Women’s Month, and while we celebrate women, we also need men to join the fight for gender justice and equality.”
“You need to recognize that unequal gender norms, roles, traditions, and stereotypes cause harm. The question is, will you allow this harm to continue?”
For trans women, visibility has come at a cost. While greater representation in media and culture has led to some acceptance, everyday life remains a struggle.
Estrada, who is also an endurance athlete, shared a personal triumph: “I started cycling and eventually became a two-time marathoner. Recently, I placed third in my age category in a women’s 5K run,” she said.
But the victories are often overshadowed by violence and discrimination. “The biggest challenge is that simply being trans invites violence, not just physical, but mental and emotional,” she said. “Our existence makes some people uncomfortable, leading to transphobia, discrimination, and exclusion.”
She recalled an incident that underscored how even the most basic rights — like using a public restroom — are fraught with danger. “I was once removed from a women’s restroom by a janitress who aggressively told me to leave, even using a mop to push my foot out of the stall,” Estrada recounted. “Meanwhile, the women in line didn’t mind my presence at all. It was a moment of reckoning. Even if I am celebrated in one space, I am still denied basic respect in another.”
For Estrada and other LGBTQIA+ advocates, the SOGIE Equality Bill is not just a piece of legislation — it is a matter of dignity and survival. “The SOGIE Equality Bill was first introduced 25 years ago, in the year 2000,” Estrada said. “It was meant to address discrimination based on SOGIESC. When discrimination occurs based on these factors, it affects a person’s fundamental human rights.”
She rejected the argument that the bill grants “special rights.”
“It’s not a special law — it’s a specific law,” she said. “The Philippines already has specific laws, like the Animal Welfare Act of 1994, which protects animals from abuse. Right now, your pet has more legal protection than your LGBTQIA+ friend.”
“If you break the law, there are consequences. What’s the expectation here? Are you upset that you can’t discriminate anymore?”
The conversation ended with a plea for compassion. “If we want a world where diversity and inclusion are the norm, it all starts with something simple: kindness, compassion, empathy, and humanity,” Verceles said.
Estrada echoed her sentiment. “We may not 100 percent understand human sexuality and gender, but we can 100 percent respect it.”
