Maryjoy Camajalan TTH; 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

VALUE OF EQUALITY

One of the ideals that need to be crafted well by every individual is equality. In the field
of race, gender, affliction, beliefs, and age, the absence of equality would mean individuals will
be treated differently or less favorably. The rights and dignity of a human will be greatly affected
by the lack of equality, thus, creating an unjust world.

To conform with the norm does not even justify the real value of equality because the
standard it needs to meet does not always align to what equality wants to portray. There are
circumstances where the rules and regulations imposed do not treat different realities according
to different situations and identical realities according to their sameness. Laws are intended to
be fair so that those convicted will be punished and those who are being victimized will get the
justice they are longing. Everyone deserves to get what they rightfully deserve. Equality does
not require uniformity; it only needs justice and fairness to the world because to live with
equality means being just and righteous to others.

Not every individual is living in a perfected life because life itself is not. There will always
be differences and that is the reason why we are entitled to appreciate everyone’s uniqueness.
We are not entitled to judge other people based from what see in them because everyone is
talented, beautiful, and smart in their own way. Human beings are born to be worthy of
acknowledgement in the things they excel. In this sense, equality is equated with appreciation.
To live our life with love towards other people’s differences is what it takes for us to be situated
with equality.

Respect begets respect and if we tend to live with that value in our lives, then we are
living our life with the truest sense of equality. This means that when we respect, we also
receive the same tantamount as what we are giving them. The world is already harsh and cruel
because of the people who are missing the essence of equality in their lives but it does not
mean we cannot further change what already had happened. Each one of us can be a driving
force of change and be an advocate of equality. What we need is a little push for us to make a
better start and it will start from ourselves. It does not make any sense if we, ourselves, does
not show some equality towards others.
 In the Philippine setting, gender equality has been the most renowned issue up to date.
The country is said to top the recent list of the country with narrowest gender gap in Asia
according to the Global Gender Report of the World Economic Forum delineated by the one of
the most reliable Philippine news outlet, Philstar. As per them, the Global Gender Gap Report
evaluates 149 countries on their progress in gender parity through economic participation and
opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. The
Philippines scored the highest in educational attainment and for political empowerment, with a
perfect score of 1 and ranking 1st, fully closing the gender gap in this key pillar. For political
empowerment, the country ranked 13th with a score of 0.416, 14th in economic participation
and opportunity with 0.801 and 42nd in health and survival with 0.979.

Affirmatively, based on the survey, the country is entitled for the title, yet we cannot deny
that there are still factors that trigger the presence of gender equality in the Philippines. The
president of the Republic of the Philippines, Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, even said that there are
things women can’t do and jobs women can’t take on. True enough, there are instances where
women are deprived in relation to decision-making, access to social and economic aspects.
Gender pay gap becomes relevant too. Women in the Philippines experienced wage inequality
despite the similar work of nature with men because there has been a blatant discrimination by
the employers to women. The inequality set by these people drove several women’s groups and
other organizations supporting women’s initiatives to not be oppressed by this patriarchal
community to action. Fortunately, House Bill no. 6769 was passed to punish work discrimination
against women in the hiring process and also from depriving them of some employment
benefits. Those employers who will be caught violating the Labor Code’s provisions on
discrimination against women could be fined from P50,000 up to P200,000. Also, he may face
imprisonment for 3 months up to 3 years. Any employee or person who would willfully aid in the
discrimination of women in the workplace would face the same penalties. (Cepada, 2018). If this
would be taken seriously, gender discrimination in workplace will put an end to this never-
ending problem regarding gender equality.

I chose to stick on gender equality in workplaces because I am a firm believer that this
should be paid so much attention in our country. Everyone should not be deprived of the right to
livelihood. Every woman deserves to earn the same as those of men because they earn for their
families and not just for themselves. Regardless of the gender, Filipinos should enjoy access to
opportunities and changes in life are never constrained by gender.
 The essence of equality in the world needs to be spoken loudly because to live in this
world requires so much respect and honor for every individual. It is difficult to live in an
environment where inequality persists. Jesus’ teaching of “whatever you did for one of the least
of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me,” (Matthew 25:40) should always be a
reminder that we should treat others equally, with the same amount of love we have for Jesus.
We should not be biased and always think of others generally. The beliefs we have may
sometimes alter what equality wants us to do but it’s always the heart that is wholeheartedly
willing to help those who is need of our hands who will prevail in the long run.