Before women were allowed to vote and take part in politics, the 1935 Constitution only allowed male Filipino citizens aged 21 or older to vote. Like every hard-fought and earned democratic right in the country, the right for women to vote was a significant milestone in the fight for women’s political participation and representation in government.
The right of women to participate in political and public life is protected both by international conventions and by Philippine law. The 1987 Constitution guarantees gender equality and affirms women’s vital role in nation-building, including their right to vote and hold public office. This is reinforced by the Magna Carta of Women (RA 9710), which mandates the elimination of discrimination and calls for increased women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.
Despite advancements, women’s involvement in politics, including running for office and engaging in political dialogues and movements, continues to be a challenge. Some of these barriers include societal norms and gender roles, and stereotypes that hinder women’s full participation.
According to COMELEC’s Election Records and Statistics Division, of the 65.7 million eligible voters for the 2022 elections, 33.6 million are women, while 32.07 million are men. This indicates that there are 1.5 million more female registered voters than male voters. The voter turnout for women was 82.43% in 2016 and 76.16% in the 2019 elections, slightly higher than the male voter turnout at 81.43% and 75.62%, respectively.
As of the 19th Congress, there are seven women senators out of 24 (29%) and 85 women representatives out of 311 (27.3%). Out of the 13,586 elected positions in 2022, only 4,141 (30.47%) were held by women, with many being placeholders for term-limited incumbents who are male family members. Political dynasties have often used these tactics to maintain power. The country has also elected two women presidents in the past and has had a women’s party list in Congress since 2004.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reported that at least 43,033 individuals have submitted their certificates of candidacy for the 2025 national elections. Among them, male candidates significantly outnumber female candidates, with 33,652 males, accounting for 78%, compared to 9,381 or 22% females.
The situation prompts an inquiry into how women vote in the Philippines. Women’s rights advocates will tell us there is no “women’s vote.” Thus, this survey aims to delve into how women vote, exploring the factors that influence their choice of candidate and whether they prioritize platforms that promote women’s rights. It also seeks to examine the role of gender in the political process and understand what issues make up the women’s agenda.
Download: https://centerforwomensresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/WPP-2025-Survey-Results.pdf
