DILG, together with the Philippine Commission on Women and Coca-Cola Commends every day women heroes at the culmination of Women’s Month Celebration
Most
societies in the world may be matriarchal in nature but it cannot be denied
that many women in many parts of the world are still being discriminated upon.
Many still have less access when it comes to education and equal opportunities.
The world may have changed a lot but there’s still a need to raise awareness on
the impact and contribution of women to the society thus we celebrate Women’s
Month.
In
our country, the month-long celebration of women has always been a momentous event
and for this year it culminated with the gathering of the Philippines’ women
agenda movement leaders –the Department of Interior and Local Government, the
Philippine Commission on Women, and the world’s biggest and most women-supportive
beverage brand, Coca-Cola Philippines.
The
Company recognizes the important role of women and their capabilities and
potential as engines for development. Based on numerous studies, when women are
given the opportunity to earn, they reinvest their income to the welfare of
their families. The 5by20 STAR Program aims to empower women and promote their
economic capabilities, and seize economic opportunities. We envision that
economically empowered women would form part in the solution in breaking the
cycle of poverty within families. We believe that women, given the right
support and confidence, can make a positive impact, and make all the difference
that the world needs.
During
a special film screening of a fictional heroine, the beverage brand featured a
short clip on the impact of their program, particularly the 5by20 Sari-Sari
Store Training and Access to Resources (STAR) Program. The video underscored
how the women, mostly mothers, became the heroes to their families by making
ends meet with additional sources of income while being able to manage the
household. Women reach their full potential when given a space that enables them
to grow, women reach their full potential.
“Coca-Cola
several years back acknowledged the fact that there wasn’t gender equality in
the world and in the workplace, and though of what can we do more to drive that
empowerment, and drive that mission. Not only did we talk about it, we actually
put a goal in place called the 5by20 initiative—5 million women empowered by
the year 2020,” said Winn Everhart, president and general manager of Coca-Cola
Philippines.
“What
I can proudly say that the Philippines has lead the way. This is the preeminent
market where Coca-Cola is invested in empowering women through our 5by20
program. We’re now turning over 150,000 women entrepreneurs in the Philippines,
and we’ll be hitting our goal of 200,000 by next year. We’re one of the global
leaders when it comes to women empowerment,” he added.
The
film screening was joined by top officials of the Philippine Commission on Women
Commissioner Sandra Montaño and the Department of Interior and Local Government
Undersecretary Marjorie Jalosjos.
“Lagi
ko pong sinasabi, hindi madali ang maging babae. Para kang superhero na kailangan
magpalit-palit ng costume—minsan tindera, security guard, business woman,
doktora, engineer, barangay captain, congresswoman, assistant secretary, kapatid,
anak, nanay. We play very critical roles in society, so we keep our hopes,
raise our children, and nurture our families,” said Jalosjos.
“The
real heroes of today are the women farmers who till the land so we can have
food to eat; women fisherfolk, women civil servants, women lawyers and judges,
medical experts, women entrepreneurs, scientists, our mothers, sisters, at
tayong mga maria, tayong mga Juana. The Philippine Commission on Women commends
all efforts from our partners in celebrating women, regardless of age, race,
ethnicity, economic status and religion. Truly, we can make change work not
only for women, but with women. Let us remember that championing the role of
women does not end every March. It is an everyday goal and aspiration that
women will not be left behind,” said Montaño.
“Women
micro-retailers or the sari-sari store and carinderia owners that we see in
every street, every corner, are our everyday superheroes. They are literally
the hands that extend our brand to communities. However, over and above their
role as a store manager, they also juggle the role of being moms, wives,
sisters, caregivers, and home managers. As we reach the summit of our Women’s
Month celebrations, may we see every day and appreciate the role of extraordinary
women in our lives,” said Coca-Cola Philippines sustainability manager Joy
Munsayac.
The
beverage giant also announced its support for the planned all-women led run for
the rehabilitation of Manila Bay during Earth Day in April. Spearheaded by DILG
and PCW, the run will create a venue for women to be able to express their
support for the rehabilitation and cleanup of the iconic waterfront.
The
5by20 STAR Program has evolved to cater to several sectors including women in
agriculture, women in the Women Economic Empowerment Program of the Philippine
Commission on Women, distressed overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) through
partnerships with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration of the Department
of Labor and Employment and the National Reintegration Commission of OFWs,
beneficiaries of the government conditional cash transfer program or PantawidPamilyang
Pilipino Program (4Ps) in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare
and Development – National Capital Region, Artisan Women of Tondo, and for
women who are in disaster stricken areas. The program also includes women
micro-entrepreneurs who will undergo mentoring, or the Kapatid Program
of the Department of Trade and industry and the civic group GoNegosyo.
Coca-Cola,
with their 19 manufacturing facilities in the Philippines, and over
10,000-strong labor force, is proactive in promoting women empowerment through
the 5by20 initiative.
Coca – Cola 5by20 STAR Program
The
5by20 STAR Program is part of a global initiative that aims to economically
empower 5 million women by 2020. The Philippines has a local target of
empowering 200,000 women since its launch in 2011.
The
Coca-Cola 5by20 STAR Program is implemented in partnership with TESDA. The STAR
Program is designed for women micro entrepreneurs who own and manage sari-sari
stores or carinderias. The Program addresses the barriers these women
face and help them achieve business success. The STAR Program has three
components: access to training, access to resources, and access to peer
mentoring.
To date, the STAR Program has 390 accredited facilitators teaching
and training women retailers to become better entrepreneurs. The STAR Program
is being implemented in over 47 locations nationwide and has reached more than
140,000 women.
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