Studies show that companies with higher gender equality enjoy better levels of growth and performance. Thus, WomenBizPH headed by President Mylene Abiva, in partnership with UN Women Philippines led by Rosalyn Mesina, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) headed by Chair Sandy Montano, supported by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon Lopez initiated the Corporate Gender Responsive Webinar Series with E-Book I AM Woman! The general objective is to enable and prepare corporations on the Sustainable Development Goal Principle (SDG) #5 on GENDER EQUALITY and provide meaningful safe space in the workplace. Activities will be through webinars and a Corporate Gender Response Guide E -Book to be launched on Sept 16.
Six major topics and some issues to be tackled are:
- GENDER FUNDAMENTALS AND THE MAGNA CARTA OF WOMEN: I AM EMPOWERED
Why is it challenging to be a woman in business today? How can you make it better for other women in the business, women employees, the rest of workers and suppliers? How do you appreciate the Magna Carta of Women?
Team leader is Mansmith and Fielders CEO Chiqui Escareal-Go. Case writers are Punong Bayan & Araullo CEO Marivic Espano, AGREA founder Cherrie Atilano, and Grace Zata, IRC Institute CEO.
- INCLUSIVE LEADERSHIP: I AM A LEADER
What does gender inclusive workplace mean? Is it important and why? How do you start to create a gender inclusive workplace?
Team Leader is Mylene Abiva, FELTA Multimedia President. Writers are :former Pepsi Country Manager Maricel Narciso, Voxpro Country Manager Tonichi Parekh and St. Peter Life Plan Chairman Mildred Vitangcol.
- VALUE OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS WITH GENDER LENS: I AM A COMMUNICATOR
How and where do you start developing a communications strategy with a gender lens to raise awareness? What Is the value of communicating with gender sensitivity, both internally and externally?
Team Leader: Monette Iturralde- Hamlin, Team Asia President with Gina Romero, Connected Women CEO, Leah Caringal, Greenbulb Communications CEO and Donna Lina, Lina Group CEO.
- GENDER RESPONSIVE and INCLUSIVE SUPPLY CHAIN and MARKET PLACE: I AM A MARKETER
Does your business consider and support women owned businesses in the value chain e.g. suppliers, service providers? What are the challenges in pursuing this and what are the benefits? Is it sustainable or how can you make it sustainable?
Team leader is Echo Store co-founder Jeannie Javelosa with writers Myren Garcia, Network for Enterprising Women President, Dannah Majarocon, Lalamove Managing Director and Cathy Turvill, Nurture Wellness Village President.
- CORPORATE POLICY REVIEW AND GENDER MAINSTREAMING: I AM A STRATEGIST
Team Leader is Dusit Hotel President Evelyn Singson with ICD Director Ida Tiongson, former DTI Usec Nora Terrado and myself.
Why Is it important to set up a gender responsive and inclusive corporate company policy? Should companies intentionally give equal responsibilities and opportunities to women? Where can one start in developing their own gender policies? How do you ensure that policies are implemented and carried out well? Are special needs of women or a program that encourages women to grow to leadership positions considered?
Recognized as the first universal bank in the Philippines to be certified as gender-equal after receiving its Economic Dividends for Gender Equality (EDGE) Certification, PNB’s former Vice Chair Rico Alfiler always ask – “what about us, men?” True - gender equality is not just for women but it is a human right, and everyone must be able to enjoy this human right.
- ENSURING SAFETY, SEXUAL HARASSMENT and DISCRIMINATION FREE WORKPLACE: I AM SAFE
How do you ensure workplace safety in your company, Online and Offline? Are mechanisms in place to ensure that employees feel safe to complain against sexual harassment against colleagues or even superiors?
Team leader islawyer Atty. Lorna Patajo-Kapunan with Rose Marie Ong, Wilcon SVP, Enchanted Kingdom COO Cynthia Mamon and Genevieve Tan of Southville International School.
Women’s month ended in March. Yet, I just got a message from PhilWEN Chair Boots Garcia organizing a new group to be composed of Female Board Directors from publicly listed companies (PLCs), to improve the gender ratio in boards. Never a dull moment with these active women!
Do you know that it will take about 135 years to achieve global gender equality, up from previous 100 years due to the pandemic? The Philippines remains as the top Asian country in closing the gender gap, ranking 17th out of 156 countries in the Global Gender Gap Index 2021. More still need to be done. I Am Woman! will help bridge this gap. Coming Soon!
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Ms. Tarriela was the first Chairwoman of the Philippine National Bank. She was the first and only independent director chairwoman in the commercial banking industry. She is a former Undersecretary of Finance and the first Filipina vice-president of Citibank N.A. She is a trustee of FINEX and an Institute of Corporate Directors fellow.
A gardener and an environmentalist, she established Flor’s Garden in Antipolo, an ATI Accredited National Extension Service Provider and a DOT Accredited Agri Tourism Site.
(The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinion of these institutions.) [email protected]