Enstack Launches "HERstory": A Celebration of Women in Leadership

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Series aims to inspire professional ambition and personal growth by spotlighting trailblazing women in business and industry

Enstack, the AI-powered mobile app that enables everyone to be entrepreneurs, announced today the launch of EmpowHER HERstory, a year-long video series designed to spotlight the journeys, challenges, and achievements of female leaders across various industries.

EmpowHER HERstory, a new initiative from Enstack’s EmpowHER campaign, gives a closer look at the lives of influential women who balance professional success with personal roles such as that of mothers and primary caregivers.

As a female-led company, Enstack consistently highlights female entrepreneurs, emphasizing role models just ahead in their journeys for relatable inspiration. With EmpowHER HERstory, Enstack also wants to celebrate women who have reached the C-suite, built billion-peso businesses, or created an impact on millions of Filipino lives while juggling different personal roles, with an aim to motivate audiences toward even bigger dreams and substantial ambitions.

This series brings to the fore influential women including:

●       Yangyang Zhang, Xendit's Chief Innovation Officer, known for her pivotal role in financial innovation across Southeast Asia;

●       Ruoshan Tao, Canva's Head of Marketing for Southeast Asia and Latin America, who is transforming digital design accessibility worldwide;

●       Ambe Tierro, Country Managing Director at Accenture Philippines, who is setting the standard for excellence in the IT and consulting industry;

●       Berna Romulo-Puyat, Deputy Governor at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, instrumental in shaping national financial and economic policy; and

●       Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, renowned for her dedication to community development and governance.

In the Philippines, women hold 39% of senior management^[1] and have surpassed men in tertiary education enrollment, with a ratio of over 2.57 million women to 1.87 million men in AY 2021-2022^[2]. However, the labor force participation rate for women is at 34.5%^[3], highlighting a discrepancy that underscores the critical importance of visible, diverse female leaders to inspire the next generation.

"Within Enstack's ecosystem, where nearly 70% of merchants are women, we are deeply committed to amplifying female entrepreneurship and underscoring the significant impact women have on the economy. EmpowHER HERstory is about the power of visibility and representation. It's about revealing not only the achievements of women but also the paths they've taken, the obstacles they've overcome, and the significant impacts of their journeys,” shares Enstack's CEO, Macy Castillo. “This initiative is our way of inspiring viewers to dream bigger, encouraging not just young women but people from all walks of life to challenge norms, break barriers, and pursue their dreams with relentless passion."

 

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About Enstack

Enstack is changing the way businesses are built by empowering everyone to become entrepreneurs. Enstack is more than just a  mobile app that removes barriers in starting a business. By integrating Artificial Intelligence into the core of business building, it is a transformative force in entrepreneurship, providing tools and a supportive ecosystem to help its users dream bigger, build smarter businesses, and live richer lives. For more information on the Enstack Magic update and to join a community of forward-thinking entrepreneurs, visit www.enstack.com.

 

 

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^[1] 2022 Women in Business Report, Grant Thorton

^[2] Commission on Higher Education

^[3] Philippine Statistics Authority

Female Leaders Give Opposing Opinions on Issues Faced by Women in Web3

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Filipino-led edutech platform Bitskwela hosted its premiere Web3 debate, Bull or Bear,

at the Philippine Blockchain Week 2023

Bitskwela CPTO Camille Puentespina with the BOBPBW Debaters

The world of Web3 has opened opportunities for everyone to participate in a more transparent internet and create wealth. However, women still face tougher challenges within the industry, including lack of representation, policies, and unfavorable settings, as tackled during the Bull or Bear event held at the Philippine Blockchain Week on September 20, 2023.

Organized by edutech platform Bitskwela, the “Bull or Bear: On-Chain Inclusivity: A Debate on Women Empowerment in Web3” featured six female representatives in the Web3 space who shared contradicting views on significant obstacles that can make it harder for women to thrive in the decentralized web.

Dr. Nataliya Ilyushina, economist and a research fellow at the Blockchain Innovation Hub at RMIT University, believes the lack of regulations in Web3 exposes women to higher risks in the space, leaving them vulnerable to scams and workplace injustices without clear protective measures such as social welfare benefits. On the contrary, Belinda Lim, co-founder of Embolden Ventures, contended that regulations offer protection in traditional industries, highlighting the inclusivity of Web3, where women can experience less discrimination compared to mainstream sectors.

The poll after the debate round revealed that the audience is divided, with 50% agreeing that regulations provide essential protection and structure, while the other 50% appreciates the potential for reduced discrimination in the more open and decentralized nature of Web3.

Meanwhile, Ida Mok, president of Women in Blockchain Asia, argued that women-led initiatives are harder to foster in Web3 because they inherit the male-dominated nature of Web2 industries like finance and agriculture. She cited recent studies that show women only make up 7% of the blockchain workforce and that only 13% of Web3 projects had a female position at the founding table. “Web 3 doesn't exist in isolation… The social barriers still exist, that is why all these initiatives are extremely difficult to foster. The statistics are there, and the numbers don’t lie,” she said.

However, for Ivy Gutierrez of the Lady Traders of Global Miranda Miner Group, Web3 is a newfound niche for women to achieve financial independence, and on a later round, explained why the industry is already conducive to women’s involvement, “Web3 is young but a lot of women already made waves in the industry… and this drives more women to get involved and feel included.”

With a narrow margin, 56% of the audience perceives the male-dominated legacy from Web2 as a hindrance to women-led initiatives in Web3, while the remaining 44% believe Web3 presents a promising avenue for women to attain financial independence.

Entrepreneur and Web3 advocate Juliane Indiongco, also known as Modern Mulan, highlighted the importance of prioritizing women's empowerment in Web3. In contrast, Irene Umar, the CEO of We Guild Games (W3GG), the official guild partner of Yield Guild Games in Southeast Asia, stressed the broader concept of human empowerment within the realm of Web3.

Prior to the debates, keynote speakers including Liza Panowich, marketing manager of OctaFX; Hideki Okada, CEO of Tekkon; Nelson Lumbres, co-founder of ICP Philippines; and June Olivar, client services director of Blockceler8 PR, shared how their platforms are bringing more diversity to the Web3 ecosystem.

Empowering Women in the Web3 Industry

Bitskwela is actively advancing the Web3 education landscape in the Philippines by localizing educational content and fostering a collaborative environment that promotes understanding and awareness in the space.

Camille Puentespina, Chief Product and Tech Officer of Bitskwela, shared in an earlier interview, “We're really trying to drive towards getting the numbers up in terms of the women engaged in the space. Women are very much in business development, marketing, and executive jobs. We really want to push forward and try to recognize as well those in the backstage, those who are really developing and building.”

Jiro Reyes, co-founder and CEO of Bitskwela and Philippine Block Awards 2023 awardee, announced the firm’s strategic partnership with W3GG to support its platforms and community members in Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore.

“Our mission to help Filipinos own a piece of the internet continues with this debate. Part of our Web3 education mission is to build events and campaigns that provide a platform for women-led companies to build. Aside from education, Bitskwela also pushes for equal opportunities in the space,” JC Macalintal, CMO of Bitskwela, added.

The “Bull or Bear: On-Chain Inclusivity” event was co-presented by GCrypto, Tekkon, ICP Hub Philippines, and Blockceler8 by Uniquecorn Strategies PR, and supported by the Philippine Blockchain Week, OctaFX, CoinVault, and TikTok.

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About Bitskwela

Bitskwela is a Web3 EduTech company that helps Filipinos own a piece of the internet through educational engagements, management services, products, and events that foster Web3-educated decision-makers and communities.

For more information, visit https://www.bitskwela.com/

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About Bull or Bear

Bull or Bear is Bitskwela’s flagship educational event, positioned as THE PHILIPPINE WEB3 DEBATE Bull or Bear is known in the Web3 community and is looked forward to by the Web3 community. Bull or Bear by Bitskwela has been historically part of the biggest Web3 events in the Philippines, such as last year’s Philippine Web3 Festival and Philippine Blockchain Week.

Gawad Madiskarte returns, over P1 million worth of prizes at stake!

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Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) brings back Gawad Madiskarte, a tribute to outstanding women entrepreneurs, with over P1 million worth of prizes. Nine moms from all over the Philippines have the chance to win cash prizes, gadgets, PLDT Home Fiber line for 12 months, mentorship program, and more!

A Facebook community launched in the thick of the pandemic, Madiskarte Moms PH encourages entrepreneurship among moms wanting to earn from home through online businesses while still enjoying quality time with their families. The community has more than 154,000 members who regularly share ideas, and offer each other advice, encouragement, and inspiration.

The mompreneur group also empowers their fellow women and the people around them. They have the ability to draw strength from their life experiences, challenges, and hardships. And most especially, this community helps women turn their startups into scalable businesses that can financially support their families and fuel their dreams.

Honoring the Madiskarteng Pinays

Gawad Madiskarte was first launched to honor the mompreneurs who overcame challenges and flourished at the height of the pandemic. In a report by the ADB, it was found that “more women than men have left their paid jobs to provide essential services to their families,” and that 64% of women had no personal income, compared to 39% of men. Another study found that more Filipino women than men began to run home microenterprises on ecommerce platforms during the pandemic.

Gawad Madiskarte was born from the insight that the one thing Filipino moms needed to cope with the pandemic was a sense of optimism, confidence, and sheer determination. By celebrating women's achievements and showcasing women's support for each other in a community through this annual award program, MMPH aimed to build that confidence. This year, Gawad Madiskarte is back to do just that.

Major categories for this year include Diskarteng Angat (Fastest-Growing Business), Diskarteng Digital (Best Multi-Channel Business) and Diskarteng May Puso (Best Social Enterprise). Two major winners per category will be chosen from the Startup Division and Scale Up Division. The former are home or online businesses that recently started and show great potential while the latter are businesses that have been running for at least 13 months and are registered with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) or the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

Special awards will also be given to three deserving finalists. These awards are Diskarteng Malikhain (Most Creative Business Branding), Diskarteng Pasulong (Most Innovative Product) and Diskarteng Home Biz (Mompreneurs’ Choice Award).

Last March, PLDT Home’s Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH) won, not only the Gold Anvil Award, but also the prestigious Grand Anvil – the highest honors at the 58th Anvil Awards, considered the Oscars of local PR, awarded by the Public Relations of the Philippines (PRSP). MMPH was also given the Silver Award from the Asia Pacific Stevie Awards last year. Gawad Madiskarte 2022 was also honored at this year’s Anvil Awards with the Gold Anvil under the PR tools category.

To join this year’s awards, applicants should be part of the Madiskarte Moms PH Facebook community and fill out the Google Form posted on the announcement tab of the group. Interested applicants can enter this year’s Gawad Madiskarte Awards until May 15, 2023.

To know more about this year’s Gawad Madiskarte and details on how to enter, join https://pldthome.info/GawadMadiskarteAwards2023.

These successful mompreneurs share the most important lessons they’ve learned

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The future of Philippine entrepreneurship is female and digital. PLDT Home harnesses the power of the country’s fastest broadband internet provider by supporting Madiskarte Moms PH (MMPH), an online community of mompreneurs who want to build and grow their own online business while taking care of their family’s needs at home.

PLDT Home advocates women entrepreneurship through digital business tools 

and awards recognition

At present, there are 153,000 community members who regularly share ideas and knowledge, and offer each other advice, encouragement, and inspiration. The group has helped many of its members grow their side hustles into booming online home businesses that have allowed them to support and build dreams for their families.

The group became not only a go-to space for digital business tools, basic and necessary knowledge and skills training, and networking opportunities, but it also became an emotional and mental support system. MMPH believes in the importance of giving recognition to the passion and resilience that the members have shown all throughout their entrepreneurial journey, especially during the pandemic.

Hence, MMPH launched the Gawad Madiskarte Awards in 2022 to highlight and celebrate the most outstanding mompreneurs in the community. The winners were rewarded with more of the support that they need to expand their business further and their stories serve as an inspiration to every mompreneur who are working hard to reach their own dreams of success.

Mompreneurs who inspire

For mompreneur and Diskarteng Solid Award winner Abigail Madrigal, support from many people is always crucial when trying to get a business off the ground. She sold high-quality bedsheets on online selling platforms while balancing a full-time job and raising a toddler during the pandemic.

“I started this business with the capital of P10,000—equivalent to 50 yards of fabric in five designs that were sewn by my Nanay. Now, we have the house next to ours as a production area, with rolls and thousand yards of fabrics in almost 100+ designs,” she shared.

“MMPH gave me the important backing that I needed when I was starting. This platform landed me several clients and the word-from-mouth created from these transactions started the growth and reputation of my store, Mommy Matters. The posts that I read in the group also inspired me to work better on my venture,” Abigail said.

Kaylynn Adolfo of The Asian Mommy is a Diskarteng Eco-Friendly winner for her line of locally-made reusable cloth diapers. Her business follows her staunch zero-waste advocacy, exemplified with the reusable diapers and environmentally friendly packaging.

Kaylynn learned that the network of like-minded people you meet can also be your biggest supporters and customers. “Through the Madiskarte Moms community, I have met moms that are now my suppliers,” she said. “I have also taken advice from other moms that has helped my brand flourish. The group has also helped me find customers multiple times.”

Protecting the environment is likewise the advocacy of Rosanna Dela Cruz Kabiling of Something Nice Environmental Corp., a winner for the Diskarteng May Puso award, whose biggest lesson was that committing to a good cause can bring you success.

Her business deals with the proper transport, treatment, disposal of hazardous waste; and reduce, reuse, recycle of scrap material for local and multinational companies. She values the supportive network that she has built with MMPH.

“I am happy to see a lot of mommies today who are open-minded enough to start their own business and who are fulfilling their dreams. The group helps me to realize how blessed I am,” Rosanna said.

Madiskarte Mom Theresa Carbonell Buenaflor of Ellana Mineral Cosmetics was chosen for the Diskarteng Digital award, for using social media platforms to reach her customer base with her skincare, body care, and makeup products. Her inspiring insight is that one should always use technology and digital trends for better chances of success.

“MMPH helped us believe that there are still good people out there who support our brand, especially during the challenges of the pandemic,” Theresa said. “I'm grateful for the support and reception of this group because it helped me believe that there are still good people out there who can support each other in these tough times.”

Lou Neri Putian was the 2022 Diskarteng Home Biz winner. She has emerged successful with her Sy Glow cosmetics and skincare products that are available through direct sales. She was able to thrive and properly manage her home business despite being a full-time mom raising her three kids, proving that with some diskarte and the right motivation, it is never impossible for moms to balance a business and being a mother.

“I was inspired by the other Madiskarte Moms of the group in growing my business, which I juggled together with taking care of my kids at home,” she says.

PLDT Home aims to support the online community further, and help empower more women to achieve business success.

PLDT Home is set to hold the second Gawad Madiskarte Awards in May 2023 to recognize the Madiskarteng Pinays who have shown excellence in growing their online home businesses and positive attitude in helping and inspiring other fellow mompreneurs. To know more about this year’s Gawad Madiskarte Awards, join the Madiskarte Moms PH online community here: https://pldthome.info/GawadMadiskarteWomensMonth2023.

Why Every Woman Needs a Partner in Health

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Women play an essential role in society. Studies have shown that women make better leaders, bring about higher returns to economies, and improve the lives of people in communities.

Photo by partystock (Freepik)

Women’s position in society means it is important to prioritize and understand their health. They face a variety of health issues, with cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death for women around the world. According to The Lancet, 35% of deaths in women worldwide are caused by cardiovascular disease.

Women are also at risk for cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide. The World Health Organization revealed that it accounted for 10 million deaths in 2020 or the equivalent of nearly one in six deaths.

Breast cancer is the most common of its kind in the Philippines and the world. It is the majority type of cancer that affects Filipino women at 31%. Additionally, it is the third most fatal type of cancer in the Philippines, just behind lung and liver cancer. Global figures are just as alarming: the disease is the most common cause of cancer death in women.

Lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer

“The risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular issues and cancer can be prevented. While some factors cannot be avoided, such as family history or age, taking care of one’s health through preventive measures can lower the risk of heart issues and cancer. As always, it is important to consult a health professional when making lifestyle changes,” says Dr. Gia Sison, Head of Wellness Center at Makati Medical Center, a mental health advocate, and a breast cancer survivor.

A key way to prevent NCDs is to maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight can lead to conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes. A diet filled with fruit, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes such as lentils and beans can fight malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, and breast cancer.

It’s important to pair a healthy diet with regular exercise. Aside from helping maintain a healthy weight, at least 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity can lower the risk of heart disease and cancer.

Women are also advised to not indulge in vices such as smoking and drinking alcohol. Tobacco contains chemicals that damage the heart and blood vessels. Even those who do not partake can be at risk due to secondhand smoke. Meanwhile, higher consumption of alcohol increases the chances of breast cancer.

Lastly, it’s important to get regular health screenings. These can help women understand their bodies better and see if they need to take action. For example, they can screen their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, or get tested for diabetes 2. Women are encouraged to do a breast self-exam at least once a month and to consult a doctor when a lump is detected.

The Philippine Commission on Women also stated in the past, “Women’s health directly affects the health and welfare of families, communities, and even the economy. Thus, in our every stride to pursue national development, promoting women and girls’ health must be prioritized.”

“We must all take part in promoting health literacy by being proactive in learning and sharing the right health information, supporting bills and reforms that push for women’s health, and aiding different health services and programs that are comprehensive, culture-sensitive, and gender-responsive,” Atty. Kristine Rosary E. Yuzon-Chaves, PCW Executive Director reiterates.

A partner in health and wellness

Just recently, Watsons Philippines launched the “Dare To Be” campaign to encourage young women to go beyond stereotypes and stand with other women to discover the best version of themselves. The campaign is aimed at supporting BRAVEHER, BOLDHER and STRONGHER Women in a cause of gender equality that embraces women from all walks of life. This includes striving to become every woman’s partner in taking care of their health so they continue to look good, do good, and feel great.

The leading global brand in health and beauty empowers women with the best quality and widely-available health, wellness, and personal care products at an affordable price. These include vitamins and supplements, which can be taken with a doctor’s recommendation, and over-the-counter and prescription medication.

Watsons is also home to health monitors and medical implements and equipment to stay strong and able-bodied.

Women can visit Watsons’ network of over 1,000 stores in the Philippines, all offering expert care with its in-store pharmacists, specialists, and staff. They may also visit the website or download the App to order medicine, vitamins, and supplements. To get health tips tailored-fit to their health need, they can access the Watsons Health Hub to chat with licensed physicians and Watsons pharmacists for professional advice.

“We have proven time and again that women are strong individuals who can bravely face all the challenges that come their way. Watsons empowers them with the best health and wellness solutions available so they can continue to be amazing in everything they do, whether it’s at home, in the workplace, or society,” says Jared De Guzman, Watsons Customer Director.

About Watsons

Watsons is part of the Health and Beauty Store chain of A.S Watson, the largest health, beauty, cosmetics, and perfumery retailer in the world. Today, Watsons H&B Asia is the leading health and beauty chain in the continent with successful operations in 13 markets. In 2002, A.S. Watson Group joined hands with SM Prime Holdings Inc., the Philippines' leading shopping mall developer. The partnership brought about the first Watsons stores in SM Megamall and The Podium (Ortigas).

Today, Watsons operates 1000+ stores in the Philippines serving more than 250,000 customers per day. Watsons strives to ensure that its customers get the best value for their money through monthly promotions, special offers, and continuous consumer marketing programs. Each Watsons store houses nothing but the best brands from top manufacturers all over the world and also carries its own competitively priced, high-quality private labels and brands. With more than 1,000 brands ranging from medicines, cosmetics, and fragrances to personal care items and general merchandise, Watsons Your Personal Store delivers only the best health, wellness, and beauty solutions to each and every customer.

Nominations open for the 2021 Women’s Empowerment Principles Awards in the Philippines

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Manila, Philippines – UN Women returns with its annual Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards, which honor companies operating in the Philippines for their achievements in advancing gender equality in business. Organized by the UN Women programme WeEmpowerAsia, the WEPs Awards is now accepting nominations from May 31 to July 31. The WeEmpowerAsia programme, funded by the European Union, promotes women’s participation and leadership in the workplace, marketplace, and community.

Nominees will compete in six categories: Leadership Commitment; Gender-inclusive Workplace; Gender-responsive Marketplace; Community Engagement and Partnerships; Transparency and Reporting; and Youth Leadership for Generation Equality. The latter three categories are new to this year’s awards. Also new are three Champion titles for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“As we now welcome more WEPs signatories than before, we are excited to work with new allies in the private sector,” said UN Women Philippines Programme Manager Ma Rosalyn Mesina. “We found great success with our collaborations with the winner’s pool last year. We look forward to an even more productive 2021 for gender equality!”

“The business case is clear,” according to Boots Garcia, co-chair of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE), a partner of UN Women in the Philippines. “Embedding these concepts in corporate sustainability and governance, and business strategies will lead to quantifiable and positive results in attracting and sustaining the best talent in the market, increasing shareholder value, and promoting innovation,” Garcia said at the launch event and info session held online on 25 May.

Diverse participation

WeEmpowerAsia received more than 400 nominations from 17 countries for the inaugural WEPs Awards in 2020.

Katrina Chan, Executive Director of QBO Innovation Hub in the Philippines, which won in the Youth Leadership category last year, said: “The Awards was an amazing opportunity for QBO, a young startup, to network with established organizations that share our vision. Attaining this recognition raises our profile around the efforts to ensure equal gender representation in tech becomes the norm.”

“We wanted to push ourselves to do more and to inspire others to do the same. It makes business sense to empower women on all levels and all fronts,” added Jonah De Lumen-Pernia, Director for Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability of Coca-Cola Philippines, winner of the Community and Industry Engagement category.

This year’s awards are supported by Investing in Women (IW), an initiative of the Australian Government, together with PBCWE and the Indonesia Business Coalition for Women’s Empowerment (IBCWE). IW aims to create enabling environments for women’s economic empowerment towards a more gender-equal world. The IW-supported PBCWE and IBCWE work with leading companies in the Philippines and Indonesia to introduce gender equality strategies and tools, enabling a more diverse workforce and the associated benefits to companies, employees, and wider society.

 

Save the date

The national WEPs Awards ceremony in the Philippines will be hosted by WeEmpowerAsia on 15 October 2021. All nominees will be eligible for the regional awards to be announced on 18 November 2021.

Nominations for the 2021 WEPs Awards are being accepted until Bangkok midnight on 31 July 2021

Nominate your business now! www.asiapacificwepsawards.org

 

Safe and Fair Philippines advocates for ending violence and ensuring jobs and rights for Filipina OFWs in a new and better normal

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MANILA, Philippines - All throughout history, women have continuously played vital roles in their communities. In today’s context, we have seen their strength in full display as hardworking healthcare workers, caregivers, domestic workers, innovators, community organizers, and effective national leaders, among many others. Yet, despite their numerous contributions in the labor sector, many remain at risk having to deal with persistent problems such as discrimination, the gender wage gap, and violence.

That is why Safe and Fair Philippines, through its Babaeng BiyaHero Campaign, is recognizing the many contributions women have made to uplift their communities during these challenging times, most especially for those abroad who continue to work at the front lines. In celebration of International Month of Labor, the group hosted “Babaeng BiyaHero Bida Talks: Pinay Migrant Workers Advancing a Better Normal in the World of Work”, a roundtable discussion featuring women overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who gave their take on the most pressing labor issues that women face today, sharing their personal experiences in dealing with these issues and the work they are doing to promote decent work and a better normal for their fellow migrant workers.

Hosted by Suzi Entrata-Abrera, the panel was also joined by the Safe and Fair Programme team who presented the latest initiatives to support the welfare and protection of women migrant workers, including the Babaeng BiyaHero helpline and mobile app, and advocated for the legislative proposal for gender-responsive protocols in addressing COVID-19.

Better ways of working for the new way of living

Even before the pandemic, thousands of OFWs, majority women, reported gender-based violence (GBV) each year. With the pandemic, they are placed at greater risk for further violence when they are left locked in with abusive employers with barriers in accessing immediate supportive services from their embassies and consulates. The situation today has only highlighted the disproportionate burdens that they carry in and out of the workplace. As of April, more than a quarter-million Filipina OFWs, many of whom are domestic workers have been displaced, repatriated, and are faced with an even more difficult situation of either struggling financially or remaining unemployed when they come back home.

Thankfully, organizations such as the United Domestic Workers of the Philippines (UNITED), Migrants Coordinating Group in Western Visayas, and BATIS Center for Women offer hope for Filipina workers.  Created by fellow women migrant workers, these groups aim to support returning OFWs by helping them find sustainable solutions to their financial struggles whether it is through seeking government aid or securing local employment opportunities, among others.

Novelita Palisoc, National President of UNITED shared, “At UNITED we help migrant domestic workers and local domestic workers who face abuse (through coordination of repatriation and other supportive services). We also offer support through mutual aid for deceased members and their families. And as a matter of institutionalization, we negotiate social benefits of domestic workers.”

Women migrant workers are also encouraged to check out the Babaeng BiyaHero helpline and mobile app that assists women by providing them with essential information and services to help them in times of distress or emergency, whether in their countries-of-destination or in the Philippines. These include psychological support and responsive services.

“Since last year, the Babaeng BiyaHero Helpline has responded to requests for assistance due to contract violations, sexual harassment cases, medical repatriation, need for information on livelihood assistance through gender-responsive, survivor-centered, trauma-informed case management, provision of remote psychological first aid, counseling, referral services in coordination with government agencies mandated to extend assistance to migrant workers. Aside from migrant workers, we also provide psychosocial support to frontline workers including health workers, social welfare, police officers, and other service providers responding to the needs of women migrant workers subject to violence,” Bing Fortin, Babaeng BiyaHero Psychosocial Social Support Team Lead shared.

The work on women’s rights

As the government continues to formulate rehabilitation programs to address the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that the rights of women, both here and abroad, be at the heart of their planning, decision-making, and implementation. In every aspect of labor, women deserve to be heard and to have a better working environment, and now is as perfect a time as ever with the new Gender Responsive and Inclusive Pandemic Management Act of 2021 or “SB 2088 and HB 9059” having been filed last month and now pending legislative approval. The bill addresses the gender-differentiated needs of women including the needs of women migrant workers with provisions on the prevention of and response to gender-based violence; and aims to ensure that government agencies have enough power to act on the following:

1. Monitoring and data gathering on the realities of women relating to gender-based violence/violence at work.
2. Responding to and eliminating gender-based violence/violence at work against women and girls through pandemic policy and decision making, planning, and programming.
3. Developing guidelines on practices, protocols, coordination and networking, and education of first responders.
4. Ensuring that communications systems, referral systems, protection mechanisms and measures on access to justice and effective remedies by women subject to gender-based violence/violence at work continue to operate during a pandemic.
5. Providing shelter and security, resources and support to women and girls subject to violence; and
6. Enabling sufficient and effective institutional response for preventing gender-based violence/violence at work during a pandemic.

“We urge our legislators to make the swift enactment of the proposed Gender Responsive and Inclusive Pandemic Management Act of 2021 a priority. Time is of the essence - we are facing the impact of the pandemic which disproportionately affects marginalized groups of women especially women migrant workers. Gender-based violence continues to persist across different spheres - within the homes, the workplace (including abroad), and in public spaces. In celebration of the Labor Month, let this be our tribute to and recognition of the contribution of women migrant workers to our country,” said Charisse Jordan, National Project Officer, UN Women, Safe and Fair Philippines.

Additionally, the national government presented its National Employment Recovery Strategy (NERS) at the Labor Day Job Summit; this includes detailed action plans for the next two years in support of OFWs to get employment, income, livelihood, skills development, or reintegration support. Another instrument that will be essential in a new and better normal, which can strengthen efforts in eliminating violence and harassment in the world of work, is the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 190, which workers and migrant groups are advocating for the Philippines to ratify.

“The government launched the NERS on May 1st, which includes priority budgetary and job recovery actions of the government for OFWs.  Also, the government and tripartite partners have started efforts to push for the ratification of the ILO Convention 190 on ending violence and harassment in the world of work. OFWs need to remain vigilant in pushing for these,” said Rex Varona, National Project Coordinator, ILO, Safe and Fair Philippines.

 

The Babaeng BiyaHero campaign calls on government officials, stakeholders, communities, and migrant workers themselves to promote a more equitable, safe, fair, and better normal for every Filipina by ensuring that they are equipped with the knowledge and capability to access effective and timely services that will support them throughout their migration experience. By working together, Safe and Fair Philippines hopes to ensure that a new and better normal is anchored on decent work, gender equality, freedom from violence, and safe and fair labour migration for all Filipino women workers.

 

Visit and follow the Safe and Fair Philippines Facebook page for more information and the latest updates. Go to the Babaeng BiyaHero website for more information about the situation of Filipina migrant workers, or if you need to contact or report any incidents.

 

Women for women

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Successful women are unselfishly sharing their stories of empowerment for other women to rise above their own challenges.

 

Four women in fact recounted breaking gender norms and defying the odds during a recent webinar offered by Malayan Insurance Co. Inc. entitled “When Life Gives You Lemons”.

 

The event was spearheaded by its We Women program segment in partnership with the People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) in celebration of Women’s Month this March.

 

“Let’s not forget that we women carry half of the world, our lives matter, and our lives make a difference. We are women, we are more loving, more thoughtful, and more caring. A lot of women are abused, it may not be physical it can be mental or emotional, so this women’s forum is critical as we share our experiences as women,” Yvonne S. Yuchengco, We women chief program ambassador, said.

 

Rebecca Bustamante, president of Chalre Associates Executive Search, shared her transformative experience from being a domestic helper to emerging as president of a renowned company.

 

From her humble beginnings in Pangasinan, Bustamante became the breadwinner of her family at an early age, supporting 10 siblings and her mother being ill with a terminal disease.

 

She worked as a domestic helper at 19 in Singapore while struggled to get an education to fuel her dreams of lifting her family out of poverty.

Bustamante absorbed all criticisms and discrimination through the course of her life but used this as motivation to prove them all wrong. She migrated to Canada and there started her own family.

 

In the same webinar was Virginia V. Calago, a victim of abuse at an early age. She struggled with her mother leaving them at an early age, her father abused her and ended up with the local social services.

 

She had her tragic experiences in foster homes, but with prayer and the focus to make her goals come true, Calago emerged even stronger.

 

She wears her battle scars with pride and honor imparting that whatever life throws at you, you always have a choice. And she encouraged everyone to stay strong and choose to be brave and face each challenge head on.

 

Trials are not limited to experiences in life but also can be lurking in established businesses. Indira Bagatsing, managing director of Kahariam Farms, shared the impact of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid19) in their organic farming business.

 

From letting some employees go to adapting to the changes needed to sustain the business, Kahariam Farms continued to produce organic fruits and vegetables for the Filipino public despite the odds. Bagatsing pointed out that the support of everyone from her family and all of them working together made all the difference and helped the business push through.

 

In terms of women's representation in the workforce, data from a survey conducted by Deloitte Southeast Asia (Deloitte SEA) and shared by Anna Marie Pabellon during the webinar, revealed that women continue to be underrepresented in terms of the technology workforce with women representation declining at successive levels.

 

Pabellon pointed to a “leaky pipeline” in the education system, wherein only a few women earn a technology-related degree.

 

For working women in the information technology (IT) field, 50 percent was pointed out to be more likely to say they have experienced discrimination in the workplace.

 

Meanwhile, 20 percent of women in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) sector said that their gender has made it more challenging to succeed at work.

 

Pabellon overcame these boundaries as she herself has defied gender norms being a partner of Deloitte SEA as the first woman country risk advisory services leader. She maintains that women are great at what they do and should pursue their dreams despite what other people say.

 

Apart from the empowering webinar, Malayan Insurance also mounted its #ChooseToChallenge campaign, a social media effort wherein both women and men are encouraged to support their chosen challenge whether it be on violence against women, economic status, inorganic farming methods, or the role of work from home (WFH) women, among others.

 

Malayan Insurance will also be hosting an online event focusing on Kwentong Kababaihan and Great Women Mentors as well as its Chill Convo sessions for this month, staying true to its goal of highlighting what women do for society.

 

Malayan Insurance is a member of the Yuchengco Group of Companies.

Celebrating women on top: How these female leaders made their impact

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Despite gender biases in the workplace, especially for industries traditionally dominated by men, women are now rising to the top and showcasing their unique brand of leadership.

Eastern Communications, a premier telecommunications company in the country, believes in diversity and inclusion and with two women at the helm, the company’s success is a showcase of what women leaders can do in the workplace. Moreover, its key partners, Plantation Bay and Australian - New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, also led by powerful women can also attest to the effectiveness of having women at the top.

How have these women made an impact in their respective fields? Here are some insights on their experiences.

The power of positive influence

Cherry Allego
Plantation Bay General Manager

Being in the industry for 15 years, Plantation Bay General Manager Cherry Allego says that believing in the power of influence within an organization can greatly impact people’s behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions.

Because to her, “Greatness is not measured merely by how long you served or by your gender. It is how you influence others to do great. With this, we grow together in our field of expertise and take pride in the learnings we acquired through the years.”

Allego also continues to emphasize the importance of understanding what the organization needs and trusting the capabilities of your group in order to prosper together. Moreover, she is driven by the power of giving and getting full support through influencing others to strive for growth and excellence.

“The secret is to serve with all your heart. There is nothing to fear when you know you have the full support of the group,” she added.

Unwavering perseverance

Maricar Gonzales
Executive Director for Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce

For the executive director for Australia-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce, Maricar Gonzales understands the challenge of proving yourself as a woman worthy of a higher position while steering a company in the middle of a pandemic.

“It’s just ingrained in me that failure is not trying. I focus on what needs to be done, and more importantly, the why. Also, when things don’t work out, I see it as a step closer to success and just keep progressing” she stated.

The year 2020 might have been a rough year for most industries but Gonzales said that the last year has been the best year for the chamber since it began 40 years ago. Her ability to lead the company towards success in these taxing times can be attributed to her consistent persevering attitude.

Fostering employee wellbeing

Atty. Aileen Regio
Eastern Communications Co-Coordinator

Eastern Communications not only takes pride in their personalized customer service but as well as their prioritization over their employee’s wellbeing. For the company’s co-coordinators Atty. Aileen Regio and Hermi Hizon, although there were challenges in creating a better environment that could improve the management practices of the company, the duo were able to power through.

As they transitioned to a more refreshed company culture that promotes a strong connection between staff and executives, this matter began to disappear.

“While we continuously distinguish ourselves as a telco with personalized customer service, we also make sure that our employees’ needs and concerns are being attended just as how we do it to our clients,” shared Atty. Regio.

Hermi Hizon
Eastern Communications Co-Coordinator

Despite the pandemic bringing great challenges to the company, the combined teamwork of Atty. Regio and Hizon together with their diligent employees has helped Eastern Communications thrive during this time.

According to Hizon, “The pandemic is one of the biggest challenges we faced as a company and as leaders, we have to be agile and be on top of everything to be able to adapt to the new environment. We appreciate the coordination of the whole company and for trusting us in this trying time.”

As people observe more women competently serving as leaders, it will no longer seem strange that a woman is in charge. But there still is a long way to go. A great and fearless leader is defined not by their gender but by how they rise to success together with their people.