Trailblazing Political Engagement of Women in Zamboanga del Norte, Philippines
Patrick G. Galleto, Vilma P. Bagsican

Abstract
Women’s political engagement has a very wide meaning. It is not only related to right to vote, but simultaneously relates to involvement in political decision making process, activism, consciousness, and run for public offices and political parties. This study looked into the women’s political engagement in Zamboanga del Norte and trailblazing their potential to lead and politically engaged with. Descriptive survey method of research was used with questionnaire involving 1179 respondents. The study revealed that elected women were greatly engaged in executive, legislative, and judicial functions in the barangay. However, their engagement significantly differed between and among the three mandated functions. Trailblazing political engagement of women in the province is imperative to raise their engagement level to very great extent. It is necessary to take steps towards the ideological transformation of the political system, the party system, and, particularly, civil society, so that women themselves change their conduct and their expectations.

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