SUMMARY

The book, “Women Leadership: A Phenomenological Study on the Emergence of Meranaw Women Leaders in the Philippines,” explores the experiences, challenges, and leadership styles of Meranaw women, blending cultural, historical, and societal perspectives. Through a detailed literature review, it examines leadership concepts, the evolving roles of women in Muslim and Filipino contexts, and the portrayal of Meranaw women in the Darangen epic, highlighting themes of power, vulnerability, and identity. Using a qualitative phenomenological approach, the study uncovers how Meranaw women leaders navigate challenges such as balancing cultural expectations, interacting with male leaders, and overcoming financial and social constraints. It emphasizes their resilience, faith-driven motivation, and strategies for cultivating humble, inclusive, and transformative leadership. The findings underline the critical role of Meranaw women in reconciling tradition with modern governance, offering implications for leadership development and practical recommendations to foster inclusivity and empowerment in Southeast Asia.