THE IMPACT OF SPANISH

COLONIALIZATION ON FILIPINA
WOMEN
INTRODUCTION
The Philippines before the colonization period was not a whole entity; a
single/ united country before the colonization of Spain. The women are
given rightful importance equally to men. They could even be warriors
and the heir of the Datu.  
According to Saldua the splendid years of women were demolished when
the Spanish colonization took place, the situation changed a lot with the
arrival of the Spanish colonizers who took away the freedom of the Filipino
women.
Before the year 1521, there are evidences that women could divorce their
husband and after that they could even manage the money, properties
and any other economic-related stuffs, and if it is an option the women
could remarry. (Perez, 2013).
REVIEW OF RELATED
LITERATURE
 The pre-colonial Filipino wife was treated as a companion, not as
slave. She enjoyed freedom in making decisions in the family. Her
say was not only confined to domestic affairs like having a baby or
not. Giving birth many times was disliked by women, especially
those who inhabited towns near the sea, saying that in having
many children, they are like pigs. For this reason they practiced
abortion after having the desired number of children. (Titgemeyer
1997)
Women also had a central role in society. Back then; the women in
history were able to become political authorities. A shift in gender
roles began during the arrival of the Spanish (Perez, 2013).
During the colonization process, the Spanish rule affected gender
DISCUSSION
PRE-HISPANIC
 Rightful importance equally to men.
Treated more like a companion.
Could manage money, properties and any other economic related
work.

POST-HISPANIC
 Men only have the opportunity to access education.
Expected to stay at home and take over the household (cooking,
CONCLUSION
According to Saldua, The splendid years of the women were
demolished when the Spanish colonialization took place.
Basically, with their arrival, they greatly switched the concept on
how to treat women.
In modern times, women are given the rights equal to men
socially, politically and legally (R.A. 9710 Magna Carta, “The states
affirms the role of women in nation building and ensures the
substantive equality of women and men. Shall promote
empowerment of women and pursue equal opportunities for
women and men and ensure access to resources and to
development result and outcomes.”
Nevertheles, the concept of inferiority exists and discrimination is