The month of March doesn't just signify the closing of the business year's first quarter, graduation for students in different levels of education, or the start of the (unbearably hot) summer season. Each year, two globally recognized celebrations honor all females and put the spotlight on gender-related topics and initiatives across categories: International Women's Day is held every March 8, while all 31 days of March is also reserved for International Women's Month.
The Philippines has come a long way in terms of female empowerment. We have had two Madame Presidents plus numerous women serving in government, countless lady executives in higher management in many companies and industries, and public and private programs zeroing in on female-oriented needs covering multiple social sectors. As of late 2011, our country placed eighth on the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Gender Gap rankings, an improved ranking compared to previous years. But that doesn't mean everything has already been addressed! Improvements can still be made; saying that a lot of work remains for gender equality, laws, human rights, health, education, employment/business opportunities, ownership, and status only scratches the surface.
In line with the month-long celebration of women, we at Entrepreneur Philippines provide our female readers with a quick run-through of the business organizations led and run by women — and strive to level the playing field. We also include several non-profit organizations that have a nationwide reach and run projects that educate, help, and push women from various regions and backgrounds to put up their own businesses.
The Women's Business Council of the Philippines
Budding, new and established female entrepreneurs should take a look at the Women's Business Council of the Philippines (WBCP), made up of female business owners and high-profile decision-makers coming from a wide variety of industries. The 15-year-old WBCP's goals are to eradicate the issues that women in all positions encounter at work, provide valuable input for government agencies regarding “technology development, training, and access to markets and finance”, and promote and form partnerships with women-owned and -helmed enterprises.
The WBCP's recent events include the second part of the Women to Women (W2W) Mentoring Conference (held last November at the Philippine Trade Training Center or PTTC). For more information, go to the WBCP's website or follow the Council's Twitter account.
Zonta International District 17
Zonta International District 17 (a.k.a. Zonta Philippines) is made up of different Zonta areas/clubs within the Philippines and clubs in other Asian countries, and is part of a global organization that is run by women of influence and aims to “advance the status of women”. Their work for status advancement includes the “legal, political, economic and professional” realms. Zonta District 17 has put into motion projects that encourage and foster female entrepreneurship (such as its Microfinance Project, in partnership with Saint Michael's College of Laguna) and the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship (in line with Zonta International). The District 17 website will give you additional details on both the organization and past/upcoming events.
The International Alliance for Women
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW)'s mission is to “encourage, develop, fund and implement programs that foster economic empowerment and advancement for women around the world”. TIAW reaches both inward and outward: it offers microfinancing for women situated in developing nations, recognizes female professionals with great achievements in their respective fields, and mentors young girls aged 10-14 and gets them ready for professional life and growth. TIAW also has an Entrepeneuship Program for aspiring business owners, as well as the Women in Leadership Program for ladies in the corporate world who need assistance with networking and development. Check out the TIAW website to know more about its ongoing programs, awards and members.
KMBI
Kabalikat Para sa Maunlad na Buhay (or KMBI) provides much-needed funding for microenterprises, but also goes beyond this initial assistance by giving their female financial recipients the training, networking capabilities, and additional resources to start and grow those microenterprises. KMBI also places importance on values formation, making the organization's approach a holistic one. Visit the KMBI website to learn more, and read the success stories of some of the group's recipients.
GoNegosyo
Operating under the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), GoNegosyo does its part to alleviate poverty by helping others see the benefits of going into business for themselves, as well as the cultivation of an entrepreneurial mindset and culture. Headed by Joey Concepcion of RFM Corporation and helped along by both female and male trustees, GoNegosyo achieves its mission through nationwide caravans, a TV show, and seminars geared towards microenterprise owners and small businesses. It has also put out five books that delve into the journeys of different entrepreneurs. The GoNegosyo website offers more details, and also gives budding business owners handy links and resources.
Women Entrepreneurship Program
Working with the Let's Go Foundation and GE Money Bank Philippines (owned by Banco de Oro or BDO), the Women Entrepreneurship Program (WE Program) targets young Filipinas and has as its primary goal these Filipinas' transformation from employee to employer. The WE Program does this mainly through education, specifically the implementation of teaching programs and tools for Entrepreneurship courses. Visit the WE Program website or the dedicated Let's Go Foundation page to learn more.
The top business and non-profit organizations for women
by KC Calpo
The month of March doesn't just signify the closing of the business year's first quarter, graduation for students in different levels of education, or the start of the (unbearably hot) summer season. Each year, two globally recognized celebrations honor all females and put the spotlight on gender-related topics and initiatives across categories: International Women's Day is held every March 8, while all 31 days of March is also reserved for International Women's Month.
The Philippines has come a long way in terms of female empowerment. We have had two Madame Presidents plus numerous women serving in government, countless lady executives in higher management in many companies and industries, and public and private programs zeroing in on female-oriented needs covering multiple social sectors. As of late 2011, our country placed eighth on the World Economic Forum (WEF)'s Global Gender Gap rankings, an improved ranking compared to previous years. But that doesn't mean everything has already been addressed! Improvements can still be made; saying that a lot of work remains for gender equality, laws, human rights, health, education, employment/business opportunities, ownership, and status only scratches the surface.
In line with the month-long celebration of women, we at Entrepreneur Philippines provide our female readers with a quick run-through of the business organizations led and run by women — and strive to level the playing field. We also include several non-profit organizations that have a nationwide reach and run projects that educate, help, and push women from various regions and backgrounds to put up their own businesses.
The Women's Business Council of the Philippines
Budding, new and established female entrepreneurs should take a look at the Women's Business Council of the Philippines (WBCP), made up of female business owners and high-profile decision-makers coming from a wide variety of industries. The 15-year-old WBCP's goals are to eradicate the issues that women in all positions encounter at work, provide valuable input for government agencies regarding “technology development, training, and access to markets and finance”, and promote and form partnerships with women-owned and -helmed enterprises.
The WBCP's recent events include the second part of the Women to Women (W2W) Mentoring Conference (held last November at the Philippine Trade Training Center or PTTC). For more information, go to the WBCP's website or follow the Council's Twitter account.
Zonta International District 17
Zonta International District 17 (a.k.a. Zonta Philippines) is made up of different Zonta areas/clubs within the Philippines and clubs in other Asian countries, and is part of a global organization that is run by women of influence and aims to “advance the status of women”. Their work for status advancement includes the “legal, political, economic and professional” realms. Zonta District 17 has put into motion projects that encourage and foster female entrepreneurship (such as its Microfinance Project, in partnership with Saint Michael's College of Laguna) and the Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship (in line with Zonta International). The District 17 website will give you additional details on both the organization and past/upcoming events.
The International Alliance for Women
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW)'s mission is to “encourage, develop, fund and implement programs that foster economic empowerment and advancement for women around the world”. TIAW reaches both inward and outward: it offers microfinancing for women situated in developing nations, recognizes female professionals with great achievements in their respective fields, and mentors young girls aged 10-14 and gets them ready for professional life and growth. TIAW also has an Entrepeneuship Program for aspiring business owners, as well as the Women in Leadership Program for ladies in the corporate world who need assistance with networking and development. Check out the TIAW website to know more about its ongoing programs, awards and members.
KMBI
Kabalikat Para sa Maunlad na Buhay (or KMBI) provides much-needed funding for microenterprises, but also goes beyond this initial assistance by giving their female financial recipients the training, networking capabilities, and additional resources to start and grow those microenterprises. KMBI also places importance on values formation, making the organization's approach a holistic one. Visit the KMBI website to learn more, and read the success stories of some of the group's recipients.
GoNegosyo
Operating under the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), GoNegosyo does its part to alleviate poverty by helping others see the benefits of going into business for themselves, as well as the cultivation of an entrepreneurial mindset and culture. Headed by Joey Concepcion of RFM Corporation and helped along by both female and male trustees, GoNegosyo achieves its mission through nationwide caravans, a TV show, and seminars geared towards microenterprise owners and small businesses. It has also put out five books that delve into the journeys of different entrepreneurs. The GoNegosyo website offers more details, and also gives budding business owners handy links and resources.
Women Entrepreneurship Program
Working with the Let's Go Foundation and GE Money Bank Philippines (owned by Banco de Oro or BDO), the Women Entrepreneurship Program (WE Program) targets young Filipinas and has as its primary goal these Filipinas' transformation from employee to employer. The WE Program does this mainly through education, specifically the implementation of teaching programs and tools for Entrepreneurship courses. Visit the WE Program website or the dedicated Let's Go Foundation page to learn more.
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