Home⇛International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research⇛vol. 5 no. 3 (2024)

Background, Recruitment, and Perceived Factors for Winning: A Qualitative Inquiry into the Perspectives of Local Women Politicians (LWPs) in Northern Mindanao, Philippines

Richard Ian Mark T Necosia

Discipline: Politics

 

Abstract:

Despite being globally acknowledged as one of the more gender-equal societies, the Philippines faces persistent challenges in achieving gender parity, especially in political representation, which necessitates a deeper investigation into women's political participation at the local level. This study delves into the nuanced dynamics of local women politicians (LWPs), examining their political background, recruitment into politics, and perceived factors for electoral success. Utilizing a phenomenological research design, the study aims to articulate and comprehend the essence of LWPs' lived experiences. Grounded in Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), the methodological framework facilitates a nuanced understanding of individual and societal realms. Six LWPs from Bukidnon, Northern Mindanao, participated in the study to comprehensively explore commonalities and distinctions in their political experiences. The findings revealed five themes of LWPs' political background: apolitical origins, entry into politics during young adulthood, involvement in philanthropy, membership in political families, and substantial political experience. The political recruitment of LWPs is revealed through the support of the church and the influence of political families. Additionally, LWPs' perceived factors for winning in electoral politics encompass three key themes: membership in a political family, philanthropic endeavors, and the prevalence of money politics. The lived experiences of LWPs resonate with prior research on "kinship politics" in the Philippines, illustrating how political power is bequeathed, inherited, and cycled within prominent political clans. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on women's political participation by offering a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the multifaceted factors influencing their engagement in local politics.



References:

  1. Abad, M. (2023). Philippines improves in 2023 world gender equality ranking. Manila: Philippine Institute for Development Studies.
  2. Aguilar, C. T. (1990). Women in Politics in the Philippines. Philippine Political Science Journal, 39-74.
  3. Aguilar, C. T. (1998). Challenges to women politicians in a democratized Asian Society: In case of the Philippines. Indian Journal of Asian Affairs, 119-138.
  4. Atienza, M. L., & Rico, R. (2005). Women and Politics in the Philippines. Quezon City, Philippines : Philippine Politics and Governance, University of the Philippines.
  5. Baskaran, T., & Hessami, Z. (2022). The gender recontest gap in elections. European Economic Review, Volume 145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroecorev.2022.104111.
  6. Bhaskar, P., & Kaushik, M. (2022). Women’s Leadership Trends in Tribal Enterprises-A Study in Cooperatives Based Tribal Enterprises in Jharkhand, India. International Journal of Multidisciplinary: Applied Business and Education Research, 3(1), 19-30. https://doi.org/10.11594/ijmaber.03.01.03
  7. Campbell, D., & Wolbrecht, C. (2006). See Jane Run: Women Politicians as Role Models for Adolescents. The Journal of Politics, 68(2), 233–247. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2508.2006.00402.x
  8. Cella, M., & Manzoni, E. (2023). Gender bias and women’s political performance. European Journal of Political Economy, 77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2022.102314
  9. David, C. C., Albert, J. G., & Vizmanos, J. V. (2017). ilipino women in leadership: Government and industry. Philippine Institute for Development Studies, 1-8.
  10. Dowling, M. (2007). From Husserl to Van Manen: A review of different phenomenological approaches. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 131-142. doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2005.11.026.
  11. Fox, R. L., & Lawless, J. L. (2014). Uncovering the Origins of the Gender Gap in Political Ambition. The American Political Science Review, 108(3), 499–519. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/43654389
  12. Fox, R., & Lawless, J. (2011). Gendered Perceptions and Political Candidacies: A Central Barrier to Women’s Equality in Electoral Politics. American Journal of Political Science, 55(1), 59–73. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/25766254
  13. Franco, J., & Laguna, E. (2023). Overcoming Barriers to Filipino Women’s Political Representation. University of The Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies., 1-33.
  14. Frost, N. (2021). Qualitative research methods in psychology: Combining core approaches (2nd Edition). London: McGraw Hill Open University Press.
  15. Hega, M. (2003). Participation of women in Philippine politics and society: A situation. Retrieved from Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Philippine Office: http://library.fes.de/pdf-files/bueros/philippinen/50067.pdf.
  16. Heidegger, M., Macquarrie, J., & & Robinson, E. (1962). Being and time. Malden, MA: Blackwell.
  17. Hessami, Z., & Lopes da Fonseca, M. (2020). Female political representation and substantive effects on policies: A literature review. European Journal of Political Economy, 63(2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2020.101896
  18. Kanthak, K., & Woon, J. (2015). Women Don’t Run? Election Aversion and Candidate Entry. American Journal of Political Science, 59(3), 595–612. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/24583085
  19. Labonne, J., Parsa, S., & Querubin, P. (2021). olitical Dynasties, Term Limits and Female Political Empowerment: Evidence from the Philippines. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 182, 212-228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jebo.2020.12.001
  20. Lundgren, S., & Petrosiute, V. (2017). Women’s political representation in the Philippines: A study about gender equality in the government of the Philippines. Retrieved from https://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:hb:diva-12121
  21. Philippine Commission on Women. (2019). Enacting a Women's Political Participation and Representation Law. Manila, Philippines: Philippine Commission on Women.
  22. Roces, M. (2000). Women, Power and Kinship Politics: Female Power in Post-War Philippines. Pasig City: Anvil Publishing, Inc.
  23. Sidel, J. T. (1997). Philippine Politics in Town, District, and Province: Bossism in Cavite and Cebu. The Journal of Asian Studies, 56(4), 947-966. https://doi.org/10.2307/2658295
  24. Silvestre, J. (2002). The Rise of Women Leaders in the Philippines: A Study of Corazon Aquino & Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Retrieved from http://www.capwip.org/readingroom/silvestre.pdf
  25. Siriban, C. I. (2023). Kinship ties and female political participation: The case of Philippine mayors. European Journal of Political Economy, 80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2023.102419
  26. Smith, J., & Osborn, M. (2007). Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Retrieved from The University of British Columbia: https://med-fom-familymed-research.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2012/03/IPA_Smith_Osborne21632.pdf
  27. Taylor, V. (2000). Marketisation of Governance: Critical Feminist Perspectives from the South. Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era, University of South Pacific.
  28. Valente, J., & Moreno, F. (2014). Women’s representation in local politics: Evidence form the Philippines. Munich Personal ReREc Archive. https://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2014425
  29. Van Manen, M. (2007). Phenomenology of practice, (Vol. 1). Canada: University of Alberta.
  30. Veneracion-Rallonza, L. (2008). Women and the democracy project: a Feminist take on women’s political participation in the Philippines. Nordic Institute of Asian Studies, 210.
  31. Willig, C. (2013). Introducing qualitative research in psychology (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw Hill Education.

Tools


Copyright © 2024  KITE Digital Educational Solutions |  Exclusively distributed by CE-Logic