Gender Equity Analysis of the National Service Training Program Act of 2001

Abstract

Prior to the establishment of the National Service Training Program (NSTP), only male students were required to render national service as a prerequisite for graduation. However, since its enactment, both male and female students in the tertiary level are now required to render national service. The premise for this amendment was that since previously only male college students had been required to undergo such training then this would be inconsistent with the principle of gender equality, this according to the legislature. Gender equality means that women and men enjoy the same status. It also means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full human rights and potentials to contribute to contribute to national, economic, social and cultural development. Gender equality cannot be achieved without actualizing first gender equity. Gender equity is the equal valuing of both the similarities and differences between women and men. To ensure fairness, measure most often be available to understand social disadvantages that prevent and men from otherwise operating on a level playing field. Gender equity analysis is a tool to make sure that the understanding of real impact of policies, programs and projects are based on reliable and credible information and not upon mere assumptions. In the analysis of this paper, two indicators were employed. The first indicator is the perceptions and attitudes of the stakeholder (i.e. women). The second indicator is determined by time analysis that recognized the gendered role of women in their respective household such as performing chores or rearing children. The results of the survey conducted in the University of the Philippines at Los Banos affirmed with the gender constructs in Filipino society and culture wherein adolescent women are expected to carry out household chores, hence, their position is more difficult as compared to adolescent men. The female students indicated unfavorable attitudes and negative perceptions toward the program. It has been suggested that this could lead to a gradual depreciation of efficiency and decreasing private returns. Therefore, the legislature had committed a mistake in enacting the National Service Training Act of 2001. The social construct held be women adolescents were disregarded in the conceptualization of the program. Henceforth, the program does not support gender equity and by no means consistent with the principle of gender equality.