The Voices of Women in Rural Area

 “Gender equality is about women” (TED, 2015, 0:31). They have been fighting for inclusivity—whether in political, social, or economic aspects. “Until the early 1970s, women were invisible in economic development analysis and ignored by policymakers, except in their roles as mothers and wives” (Beneria et al., 2015, p. 5).

Growing up in a rural area, I witnessed many women being treated in the traditional ways passed down through generations. Women like me were expected to stay at home, care for the children, handle household chores, and cook for their husbands. During community meetings, men were the ones expected to attend, where they planned upcoming events or discussed important projects. Women, on the other hand, stayed at home. I believe that, to this day, this situation persists in many places in my area.

To support my argument, I decided to conduct a survey among the women I know from the area where I grew up. My goal is to gain more insights (besides from what I already know) into their experiences and better understand their roles as women, mothers, and wives. I also wanted to understand if there are any challenges they are facing now.

I conducted a survey with 8 women, and here are the findings: 50% of the women are housewives, while the other 50% are employed.

Based on the responses I received; these women are trying to balance their roles and responsibilities. It is evident that they have very diverse career aspirations and current occupations. Some are already engaged in full-time employment, such as working as a Municipal Link at the DSWD, an English Teacher at a university, a call center agent at a BPO company, or even a chicken vendor at a mini-poultry. Additionally, the women who are housewives expressed a strong desire to contribute to the household and continue building a career path—one that was postponed after starting their families and raising children. Among them, some have plans to pursue further education and training, such as obtaining a master’s degree in business administration or becoming a guidance counselor.

For those who are housewives, they expressed a strong wish to help the family financially by getting a part-time job while still being able to raise their children. They want flexible roles that will allow them to contribute to the household without compromising their family obligations.

This highlights the ongoing struggle many women face in balancing family responsibilities with personal career aspirations. Women’s choices are limited by discrimination in public life, in the workplace and the home (Reeves & Baden, 2000, p. 3).

Moving on to financial aspect, based on the responses I gathered, the responsibility of financially supporting the family is shared between the husband and the wife (or daughters) in some households, while in others, the husband is the sole breadwinner. Here is an analysis:

 

·       Shared Responsibility: The financial responsibility is shared between the husband and wife (and daughters, too). This suggests a collaborative effort among the family members. It also indicates a more equal approach, which is influenced by both partners working.

·       Husband is the Sole Provider: Some of the responses noted that the husband is the sole provider for the family. This suggests a traditional gender role in which the husband is expected to provide for the family while the wife takes care of domestic responsibilities.

 

This analysis shows that the financial support in the family can be a shared responsibility or dominated by one partner. Based on their answers, the roles seemed to be shaped by personal, cultural, or mutual agreement.

 

I also asked for their point of views in terms of shared responsibilities and parenting. All of them agreed that men and women should equally share household and parenting responsibilities.

Many respondents believe that sharing responsibilities prevents one person from being overburdened. By doing so, it reflects recognition that both physical and emotional labor should be distributed equally.

There are responses highlighted that they need to break away from cultural norm that men should work alone and solely provide for the family while women stay at home. Parenting and household responsibilities are both duties of husband and wife.

One respondent mentioned that being a parent is a lifetime responsibility and commitment so it requires equal involvement of both parents. This perspective recognizes that parenting is not just a mother’s job but a shared effort that requires both partners' engagement.

 

In conclusion, while there are women who are actively pursuing career growth and financial independence, there are still others who are following traditional gender roles.

In terms of finances, the responsibility can be shared by both or even a sole provider. This depends on personal circumstances, societal norms, and economic necessity.

Many women wanted to support their families while building their own career path and education. This reflects growing aspiration for independence, as women seek ways to balance work and family life while overcoming traditional expectations.

All the respondents showed a strong support for gender-equal household and parenting responsibilities. By doing so, it can reduce stress, foster teamwork, and mutual respect, ensures fairness in the family and most of all, set a great example for the children.

 

Self-Reflection

The responses from the survey provided meaningful insights into the evolving roles of women in family life, employment, and societal expectations. They reflect a gradual shift toward gender equality, yet also highlight the persistent influence of traditional gender norms in many households.

I initially expected to have more housewives than working wives in my survey. Although I was only able to interview 8 out of 53.65 million women in our country (Mapa, 2022), I am glad to have gained insights into the experiences of women today.

I chose to conduct this survey in the area where I grew up to understand whether things have remained the same since my childhood. I grew up witnessing the women in my family and community adhering to societal and cultural norms, often limiting themselves to the roles expected of them. This motivated me to step out of my comfort zone and explore new opportunities beyond familiar surroundings.

While living for years in an urban area, I realized I could do more than what was expected of me. There are many things I am allowed to do, and my voice matters. I am not just someone confined to household duties. I am allowed to pursue education, choose a career path, elect leaders, and make decisions.

I admire all the women who participated in my survey. They were not afraid to share the reality of what they are currently experiencing, and at the same time, they aspire to go beyond their present circumstances.

 

References

 

TED. (2015, October 7). Why gender equality is good for everyone — men included | Michael Kimmel | TED Talks [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7n9IOH0NvyY

Beneria, L., et al. (2015). Gender, development, and globalization: Economics as if all people mattered. Routledge. (p. 5)

Reeves, H., & Baden, S. (2000, February). Gender and development: Frequently asked questions. Prepared for the Department for International Development (DFID) for its gender mainstreaming intranet resource.

Mapa, D. S. (2020). Age and sex distribution in the Philippine population (2020 Census of Population and Housing). Philippine Statistics Authority. https://psa.gov.ph/content/age-and-sex-distribution-philippine-population-2020-census-population-and-housing