Gov’t nixed for rising women unemployment

By Freddie G. Lazaro

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — The Department of Labor and Employment and Philippine Commission on Women were urged to take urgent action on alarming high rate of unemployment among women in the country.

In a statement, Sen. Loren Legarda cited the result of a survey conducted by the Social Weather Station (SWS) last May revealing that the current percentage of unemployed women is 36.4% or 6.5 million, which is significantly higher than the percentage of unemployed men in the country at 18.9% or 4.4 million.

National Statistics Office (NSO) data last July also showed an increase of underemployment rate at 22.7 percent.

Legarda asked the national government to address the need for more gender-responsive development priority that she said should be reflected in the 2013 budget.

 “We must begin to evaluate the budget in a new light, taking into consideration our changing social landscape. Taking into account the abilities unique among genders, the DOLE and the PCW should begin addressing this situation especially now that we are planning next year’s budget,” she underlined.

The lady solon suggested two strategies that government should look at in response to the issue.

First, she said, is more support for industries that women frequent, such as textiles, crafts, farming, and food processing, and helping women start their own businesses and cooperatives.

Second, Legarda suggested, is appropriate training that will build women’s opportunities in entering economic sectors such as telecommunications, tourism, leisure services, and traditionally male-dominated jobs.

 “Women are a valuable yet vulnerable sector, and this alarming rate of unemployment is one of the key factors that fuels migration,” she underlined.