From research into action

At GIWL our central mission is to translate our research into meaningful policy change, ensuring our work has real-world impact to actively improve the lives of women, girls and gender-diverse people across Australia and the Asia Pacific region. So, we are delighted that our research has helped to shape the Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Plan/ ‘Jobs for All’ Masterplan – the Philippines’ 10-year labour market development strategy due to be launched later this year.

The research, which was conducted in partnership with Investing in Women and published at the end of last year, examines legislative frameworks on part-time work in the Philippines and benchmarks them against best practices in Australia and the Netherlands, and other countries in the Southeast Asia region, Indonesia and Vietnam. The study offers evidence-based policy recommendations to promote gender equality within the labour force and progressively eliminate discrimination between full-time and part-time workers with the aim of informing the TPB, and aligning with the 2023–2028 Philippine Development Plan. Fast forward to today, we are encouraged to see that several of our key recommendations have been incorporated into the TPB Plan…

1. A push for higher female workforce participation 

Women's labour force participation in the Philippines remains one of the lowest in ASEAN, at just 47% in 2023. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Our research underscores the need for targeted policies to increase women’s participation in the workforce, and the TPB Plan reflects this priority. By emphasising flexible work arrangements – including part-time jobs, remote work, and digital employment – the TPB takes significant steps towards ensuring that more women have access to employment opportunities. 

2. Part-time work as a pathway, not a dead-end 

In many countries, part-time work is a viable and respected employment option, offering flexibility without sacrificing rights or benefits. But in the Philippines, part-time jobs have historically been low-quality, poorly regulated, and often informal. Our report highlights best practices from countries like the Netherlands and Australia, where legislative frameworks ensure fair wages, benefits, and job security for part-time workers. 

The TPB reflects this by expanding access to high-quality part-time jobs and addressing discrimination against part-time workers. This is a game-changer for women, who are more likely to seek flexible work arrangements due to caregiving responsibilities. 

3. Ending discrimination in the workplace 

One of our strongest recommendations is ensuring that women who work part-time aren’t penalised when it comes to wages, promotions, or benefits. The TPB takes this forward, committing to workplace policies that promote equity and work-life balance. 

This shift is crucial. Ensuring that part-time employment is recognised as a legitimate and valued career path allows women to achieve both professional growth and personal responsibilities without compromise. 

4. Parental leave and carers’ leave: a step towards equality 

Parental and carers’ leave policies that apply to all genders are fundamental to achieving gender equality in the workforce. When caregiving responsibilities are shared, women are less likely to be pushed into low-paying, part-time work out of necessity. The TPB acknowledges this by proposing stronger social protection measures to support women in the workforce, challenging traditional gender norms and fostering a more equitable distribution of caregiving responsibilities. 

5. Data-driven change: the key to lasting impact 

Policies can’t create meaningful change if they aren’t implemented effectively. That’s why our report emphasises the need for continuous monitoring and accountability. The TPB integrates gender-disaggregated data tracking to measure the success of its initiatives. This means that policymakers – and the public – can see whether these reforms are truly helping more women find quality jobs. 

We are encouraged see that the TPB has a clear focus on advancing gender equity in the workforce, signalling a clear commitment to a more equitable economy in the Philippines. When women and gender-diverse people have equal opportunities in the workforce, economic growth accelerates, communities thrive, and society as a whole benefits. 

We look forward to seeing the Trabaho Para Sa Bayan Plan come into effect and remain committed to working with Investing in Women, and other partners, to continue investigating evidence-based approaches to advance women’s economic equality. By providing the evidence of what actually works to advance equality, we will continue to inform global gender equality policy in order to improve the lives of women, girls and gender-diverse people across our region.