INTRODUCTION
Gender equality is an inalienable right and is essential for building an inclusive and sustainable society, as it promotes the well-being of individuals regardless of gender. For decades, there have been sustained global efforts to achieve this; however, disparities persist, particularly against women and girls, who continue to face discrimination and mistreatment. Part of this struggle is reinforced by biased laws, harmful practices, and social constructs, which stagnate societal advancement (United Nations, n.d.).
In Brunei and the Philippines, women and girls systematically face marginalisation, which remains a significant barrier contributing to community divisions. Hence, it is a pressing issue that must be examined to gain a deeper grasp of the hindrances and progress in women’s rights in order to strengthen mechanisms for enforcing them.
WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN BRUNEI
2.1 Legal Guarantees to Women and Girls
One of the ways in which Brunei’s Shariah Penal Code (SPC) protects women is by imposing strict penalties on individuals who commit rape. Consequently, defendants can be incarcerated for a duration of eight to 30 years, with the possibility of being stoned to death as the maximum sentence (U.S. Department of State, 2022).
In 2019, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Order was passed, enabling the imprisonment of those involved in labour and sex trafficking, with punishment ranging from four to 30 years behind bars, in addition to financial penalties (U.S. Mission Brunei, 2024). In addition, the Women and Girls Protection Act in Brunei extends protection to women and girls against rape and sexual assaults (De Silva, 2025).
2.2 Obstacles to Equality
Under Brunei’s 1959 Constitution, marital rape is not criminalised, as sexual intercourse between spouses is not considered rape, provided the wife is above the age of 14 (or 15 for those of Chinese descent) (De Silva, 2025). Due to social constructs and religious influence, it is difficult for unmarried Muslim women to obtain contraceptives from government health centres, prompting them to resort to private clinics or seek reproductive advice abroad, which can cost them more money (U.S. Department of State, 2021).
Brunei’s SPC has also been criticised for discouraging women from reporting or filing any abuses. It considers several modesty violations, such as committing adultery, uncovering hair in public vicinities, and wearing provocative attire, which are punishable by harsh penalties (De Silva, 2025).
In terms of employment opportunities, women have limited options because the law does not allow them to work in certain industries, for instance, as combatants in the army or jobs requiring night shifts (U.S. Department of State, 2022).
2.3 Actions for Change
According to the latest Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) progress report, an international initiative to promote the leadership of women in different fields, Brunei reported that almost half of the permanent secretary and deputy permanent secretary roles have been filled by women. Many also occupy important positions, such as chief executive officers, diplomats, and supreme court judges (The Star, 2025a).
To further promote women’s engagement in entrepreneurship, the government is launching a training programme where participants will learn about e-commerce and online marketing (The Star, 2025a). Another programme called the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) continues to foster the skills of women through information sharing and networking. Participants may also be eligible for seed funding to start and grow their businesses (The Star, 2025b).
Moreover, the European Union (EU) has been supporting Brunei by means of the transfer of knowledge and exchanges of experiences between government officials and other stakeholders. In a seminar, they addressed women’s empowerment in the spheres of climate change, education, research, and sustainable development (The Bruneian, 2023).
WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
3.1 Legal Guarantees to Women and Girls
The Philippines has introduced some legal frameworks that safeguard the rights of women and children. The Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act criminalises various forms of abuse occurring within intimate relationships, including financial, mental, physical, and sexual mistreatment. In line with this, the government is offering measures to protect the victims and provide them with legal advice (De Silva, 2025).
The Act Prohibiting the Practice of Child Marriage was passed in 2021 to put an end to the harmful custom of child marriage, which is a harmful practice that disproportionately affects young women. Anyone who facilitates or arranges such an act will face incarceration and pay a fine. Under this law, government agencies are mandated to offer educational, health, legal, and protection services to the survivors of child marriage (Parrocha, 2022).
The Safe Spaces Act was also established to prevent gender-based harassment on the internet, on the streets, and in the workplace (De Silva, 2025).
3.2 Obstacles to Equality
Gender-based violence is still a prevalent issue in the country that requires robust measures to mitigate. According to the Philippine National Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2022, 18 percent of women had experienced emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment from their spouse or intimate partner, and two out of five of them did not seek help (Joudane, 2024).
Even though the Philippines has mandated stronger regulations, there are still obstacles that hinder the actual promotion of the rights of women. In Asia, the Philippines is the only nation that does not legalise divorce. This makes it difficult for women to escape from abusive marriages because they have restricted legal options. While annulment can be exercised, it is not easily accessible to many people given its lengthy and expensive process (De Silva, 2025). Concerns are also raised over the increased frequency of domestic violence; however, such incidents are often underreported. Moreover, perpetrators are rarely prosecuted or held accountable (Joudane, 2024).
3.3 Actions for Change
Aligned with its Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Plan, the state endeavours to address poverty among women with social assistance programmes. Through the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Programme, mothers are given provisional cash grants, allowing them to enhance the household’s quality of life by investing the funds to provide better basic necessities (The Philippine Star, 2024).
Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Kapati Mentor Me (KMME) project gives women entrepreneurs opportunities to learn how to expand their businesses and reach out to mentors to obtain coaching in financial management, product development, procurement, and strategic planning (Department of Trade and Industry, 2025).
Furthermore, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Philippine government are coordinating to develop the National Action Plan to End Child, Early, and Forced Marriage. In this regard, they are actively engaging youth as agents of change in their communities to combat child marriage (Joudane, 2024).
CONCLUSION
Significant efforts worldwide are still needed to promote women’s rights and guarantee women equal opportunity and protection in society. In Brunei and the Philippines, the governments have enacted regulations to keep women and girls safe and to improve their social standing. However, it is apparent that these measures are still not enough due to various roadblocks, such as weak law enforcement, prejudice, and deeply rooted religious norms.
On the other hand, recent developments in these countries are visible as they strive to be more inclusive by empowering women to become entrepreneurs, enhancing their skills and expertise, and providing them with financial support. In accordance with this, it is imperative for states to strengthen the enforcement of laws supporting women and girls, and address discriminatory notions and practices. Sustaining momentum for change is essential to have a more sustainable impact and dismantle the inequality.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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