Abstract:
Through the ages, women were discriminated and looked down upon. Their
rights and privileges were curtailed in a male-dominated culture. Their cultural and
societal roles dictated their subsequent actions and thoughts to the extent that they occupy
a lower social class than males.
This study looks at the political decision-making processes in the Philippines in
the hopes of determining the possible inclusion of women in charting the future
development of the nation. The study seeks to ascertain the effectiveness of gender based
leadership styles employed by male and female barangay captains in the
dispensation, arbitration and settlement of cases within their jurisdiction.
The study utilizes a questionnaire that measures the attitude and perceptions of
constituents fi'om 10 barangays in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines. These are
attitudes and perceptions regarding the effectiveness of gender-based leadership styles
among male and female barangay captains in the respective barangays. The study
compares these attitudes and perceptions that eventually would lead to the determination
of effectiveness. Effectiveness is measured along five domains: in the quality of
leadership delivered, through the diligence and zeal of the barangay captains in the
resolution of the cases, through the speed of case settlement, in the involvement of the
end-users in the resolution of the cases and through the skills and attributes of the
barangay captain.
The study concludes that the female barangay captains are more effective in their
approach to leadership. The results of the study prove that women can take a productive
and active role in the political decision-making processes in the Philippines.
