Towards Achieving SDG 5: A Study on the Barriers and Challenges in the Economic, Social, and Political Engagement of Muslim Women in Baligatan, Ilagan City

Ma. Allycia Concepcion  A. Tumaneng,; Jonel  L. Santiago,

Towards Achieving SDG 5: A Study on the Barriers and Challenges in the Economic, Social, and Political Engagement of Muslim Women in Baligatan, Ilagan City

Ma. Allycia Concepcion A. Tumaneng | Jonel L. Santiago

Discipline: social sciences (non-specific)

Abstract:

Sustainable Development Goal 5 primarily concerns gender equality and empowering all women and girls. It was established in response to the numerous criticisms of advancing gender-specific agendas. The road to equal engagement has been extremely long. Despite a slight increase in numbers over the years, women constantly face discrimination and barriers, such as cultural and societal standards, as well as access to financial resources, that prevent them from fully participating in decision-making roles. Up until now, Muslim women have endured a variety of discrimination and injustices that lead to marginalization. Knowing these, this study sought to determine the barriers and challenges in Muslim women’s economic, social, and political engagement in Baligatan, Ilagan City, Isabela. The researchers employed a qualitative descriptive approach and interviewed the respondents to gather all the necessary data. The data collection complied with the ethical considerations. Based on the data gathered, it was found that Muslim women in Baligatan have limited engagement in economic, social, and political affairs. The barriers and challenges that restrain Muslim women from engaging in various affairs are discrimination, patriarchal practices, inadequate opportunities for sources of living, lack of confidence, and lack of knowledge. The researchers also concluded that there were no existing activities and practices in the Muslim community to achieve SDG 5. However, “Madrasah” and “Ilagan Association for Women” (ILAW) emerged as support programs that empower Muslim women in the city of Ilagan. However, these programs were still not enough for their empowerment.

References:

Ahmed, S., & Gorey, K. M. (2023). Employment discrimination faced by Muslim women wearing the hijab: Exploratory meta-analysis. Journal of Ethnic & Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 32(3), 115-123.DOI: 10.1080/15313204.2020.1870601
Aminudin, R. (2023). The Evolution of Muslim Women's Political Participation. IslamiCity. https://www.islamicity.org/88970/the-evolution-of-muslim-womens-political-participation/
Austria, G. R. D., Chua, V. G. D., & Aquino, A. E. C. A Case Study on the Intersectional Realities of Muslim Women residing in Muslim Towns in Quiapo, Manila and Maharlika Village, Taguig, and their Voting Preferences.
Balo, G. S. C., Mama, R. A. D., Monteroso, A. I. B., Tsai, A. E. T., & Veloso, D. T. M. (2022). Muslim Modesty: Cultural Reverberations of Local Predominant Conventions Towards the Meaning-Making of Modesty Among Young Adult Muslimahs in Marawi and Manila, Philippines. Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students, 1(1), 5.
Braganza, M. E., & Hodge, D. R. (2023). Understanding Muslims' interactions with non-Muslims: Laying the foundation for culturally sensitive social work engagement. Qualitative Social Work, 14733250231175161.
Hakansson Schmidt, A. (2020). An alternative agenda for gender just peace?: social justice and women's peace advocacy amid the consolidation of Bangsamoro autonomy in the Southern Philippines.
Hamid, N., & Farahmand, F. (2022). Women's Rights to Vote in Islam and Dealing with it in Afghan Society. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies, 4(2), 52-57.
Hoel, N. (2016). Exploring women's madrasahs in South Africa: Implications for the construction of Muslim personhood and religious literacy. Religious Education, 111(1), 30-48.
Ilhaamie, A. G. A., Arni, B. S., Rosmawani, C. H., & Al-Banna, M. H. (2014). Challenges of Muslim women entrepreneurs in Malaysian SMEs. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 5(6), 428.
Kubota, M., & Takashi, N. (2016). Case Study on Mindanao the Philippines: Women's Participation and Leadership in Peacebuilding. Policy Paper, (2), 1-65.
Mukuria, P. W. (2018). Factors Contributing to High Rate of Illiteracy among the Borana Muslim Women in Marginalized Areas: A Case Study of Marsabit County. Impact: Journal of Transformation, 1(2), 1-23.
Noor, S. (2018). Creating a female Islamic Space. Piety, Islamic knowledge and religious authority among Born-Muslims and converts to Islam in the Netherlands and Belgium (Doctoral dissertation, [SI]:[Sn]).
Racman, S. H. A. (2022). Is there a Sexism in Islamic Leadership? The Case of the Sultanahs in Lanao Sultanate, Philippines. Journal of Islamic Thought and Civilization, 12(2), 88-102.
Rahaman, M. (2023). Participation of Muslim Women in Politics: An Islamic Perspective. Youth Ki Awaaz. https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2023/01/participation-of-muslim-women-in-politics-an-islamic-perspective/.
Sharif, R., & Hina, G. I. (2018). Participation of women in Politics: A Perceptive of Hurdles and Challenges. Journal of Art and Social Sciences, 1(5), 68-95.