WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT IN THE LOCAL MUSLIM CONTEXT:

A Phenomenological Study of
Elected Female Muslim Politicians
in Maguindanao
 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Gender inequality is still evidently embedded in every community across the
globe. Despite of the efforts of many organizations, such as the United Nations,
to provide an equal field of opportunity for women, males still continue to
hold majority of the top ranking positions in the society.

Maguindanao, as the largest province of the Autonomous Region in Muslim

Mindanao (ARMM), is deeply influenced by the teachings of Islam.
• Muslim women who have been elected to their positions are usually just
symbols of power of their respective clans (Musawah, 2009).
• The patriarchal family became the foundation of the Islamic community
(Mernissi, 1975).
 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
1. How does a Muslim woman politician locate
herself in the context of politics?
2. How does a Muslim woman politician arrive at
a decision of running for public office?
3. What is empowerment for a Muslim woman?
 METHODOLOGY
Transcendental Phenomenology by Moustakas
Theoretical framework: Positioning theory
Research Locale: Maguindanao
Unit of Analysis:
Narratives of the elected female Muslim
politicians
Data Collection: In-Depth Interview
LOCATING ONESELF IN THE CONTEXT OF POLITICS
Composite Textural Description
LOCATING ONESELF IN THE CONTEXT OF POLITICS
Composite Structural Description
 DECISION TO RUN
Composite Textural Description
 DECISION TO RUN
Composite Structural Description
DEFINITION & EXPERIENCES ON EMPOWERMENT
Composite Textural Description
DEFINITION & EXPERIENCES ON EMPOWERMENT
Composite Structural Description
 IMPLICATIONS
Each respondent have evidently determined their own
understanding of the phenomenon of empowerment.

Through the positioning theory, the researchers were able to go

deeper into the narratives of the elected Muslim female politicians
not just to understand them in a surface level, but also to take into
account the underlying circumstances and storylines that
unconsciously emerged throughout their statements.