Kabataan, Kababaihan, at Pamumuno
A Gender Analysis of the 2023 Sangguniang Kabataan Elections
Highlights
Kabataan, Kababaihan, at Pamumuno: A Gender Analysis of the 2023 Sangguniang Kabataan Elections is the first nationwide study examining gender representation in the country’s youth governance structure. Jointly produced by UNICEF Philippines and the National Youth Commission, the analysis shows that while the Sangguniang Kabataan mirrors the broader national trend of women’s underrepresentation in leadership, it nonetheless performs significantly better than other elected bodies—especially national posts.
Data from 2023 reveal near gender parity in SK voter registration and turnout (GPI 1.02), yet only 4 in 10 SK Chairpersons are women despite comparable success rates with men. Encouragingly, young women achieve stronger representation as SK Members, with several regions—including Western Visayas and BARMM—approaching parity. These findings suggest that the main barriers lie not in electability but in access and opportunity, underscoring the need for sustained mentorship, gender-responsive policies, and institutional reforms to ensure the SK continues to serve as a more inclusive and promising pathway for young women’s political participation and leadership.
