A study of the political efficacy and political participation of women in Guimbal, Iloilo

Abstract

This is a study of the political efficacy and political participation of women in Guimbal Iloilo The study has the following objectives, 1) to measure the level of political efficacy of the selected registered women voter in Guimbal, Iloilo, 2) to analyze the effect of selected socioeconomic factors affecting the level of political efficacy selected registered women voters in Guimbal, Iloilo, specifically a) to determine the relationship between age and level of political efficacy; b) to determine the relationship between educational attainment and the level of political efficacy c) to determine the relationship between income and level of political efficacy and d) to determine the relationship between occupation and level of political, efficacy, lastly, the study aims to determine the relationship between political efficacy and participation of the selected registered women voters in the local politics in Guimbal, Iloilo. The study presents five hypotheses, which are there is no relationship between age and level of political efficacy; 2) there is no relationship between educational attainment and level of political efficacy, 3) there is no relationship between income and level of political efficacy; 4) there is no relationship between occupation and level of political efficacy, and lastly, there is no relationship between political efficacy and political 1 participation. The results of the study show that there is no relationship between participation, thus hypothesis 1 is accepted. Meanwhile, hypothesis 2 is rejected; that is, educational attainment have no relationship with political efficacy. This study shows that a college level of education have a relation to political efficacy. Hypothesis 3 is also rejected; that is, there is no relationship between income and political efficacy. This study reveals that the lowest income bracket P 10-999 have a high political efficacy, compared to the rest of the income brackets who indicate an average level of political efficacy. Hypothesis 4 also rejected; that is, there is no relationship between occupation and political efficacy. This study shows that formal and informal occupations have significant bearing on political efficacy. Meanwhile, hypothesis 5 is accepted; that is, there is no relationship between political efficacy and political participation. This study shows that women may feel highly politically efficacious towards the system; but this may not necessarily translate to high political participation or to a greater tendency to participate in politics. Women in Guimbal may have been affected by their political socialization or by the political events prior to the conduct of the study. Although they really have a high sense of political efficacy, the institution and the local norms limited their capacity to participate effectively in politics. Women have been taught to stay m their homes, to be good housewives, thus , limiting their role to the reproductive sphere. Political matters are not priorities for her, although these could directly or indirectly affect their lives, security, and well-being.