Quest for Governance in the Philippines: Opportunities and Challenges

Abstract

This qualitative case study examines the governance journey of a female mayor, focusing on her efforts to promote women’s empowerment and gender equality within her leadership role. The study aims to describe her experiences, the opportunities and challenges she encountered, and the initiatives she implemented to support women in her community. Data collection involved in depth interviews and participant observations, offering a comprehensive view of the mayor’s political career and leadership style. The study reveals that the mayor’s professional background, educational experiences, and personal qualities—such as her passion, commitment, and sense of excellence shaped her approach to governance. These attributes, coupled with her strong sense of public service, enabled her to introduce and execute programs that increased women’s participation in socio-political and economic spheres thus elevating their status within the community. This case study serves as an inspiring example, challenging the prevailing notion that gender should limit women’s involvement in politics and public service. The findings underscore the importance of supportive frameworks that enable women’s leadership and empowerment. Hence, the paper recommends the expansion of government initiatives and programs focused on enhancing women’s political and leadership roles, as a means to further promote gender equality and contribute to national development.