PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) and PLDT wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) are working with SPARK! Philippines to advocate women empowerment through #Women2021: Women in Action—series of discussions on issues that affect women’s active, effective, and productive participation in nation-building. The four-part series takes place in March, in celebration of Women’s Month.
As technology partners, PSF and Smart provided connectivity for the discussion series, and Smart pocket WiFi devices, load and retailer kits for SPARK!’s women entrepreneurs. (SPARK)! Philippines, which stands for Samahan ng mga Pilipina para sa Reporma at Kaunlaran is a non-government organization that advocates for nationwide development, inclusivity and empowerment of women and other marginalized sectors.
“In PLDT and Smart, it gives us the greatest pleasure to share SPARK! PH’s advocacy of empowering women everywhere. These roundtable discussions enable every woman to understand the depth and importance of their role in continuously breaking barriers and creating a culture that prides itself in diversity, equality and inclusivity. Through SPARK!’ PHs initiatives, we are inspired and grateful to see the strength and bravery of all the women who paved the way for change, especially amid these uncertain times,” said PLDT-Smart Foundation President Esther Santos.
Organized by SPARK! PH together with the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Philippines, Austrian Embassy Manila, Embassy of Sweden in Manila, Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines, British Embassy Manila, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Manila, Philippine Commission on Women, Women Inter-Industry Network, Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, the discussion series will bring together thought leaders from various fields to discuss the problems women have been facing in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion series is headlined by Vice President Leni Robredo, Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat as keynote speakers.
The March 8 discussion was moderated by renowned TV Host and Broadcast Journalist Korina Sanchez and hosted by TV Personality and Miss Universe Philippines 2020 2nd Runner Up Michele Gumabao. The panel included Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, Makati Med Wellness Center Head and mental health advocate Dr. Gia Sison, World Bank Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist Atty. Lesley Cordero, Designer Zarah Juan and Interior Designer and People Asia’s “People of the Year 2021” Kim Lim. Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Saskia de Lang of the Embassy of the Netherlands and Deputy Chief of Mission John Law of the U.S. Embassy. Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno concluded the program.
“There is a need to talk about how we can work together to ensure that those with the right resources, those who are in positions of power and influence will perhaps look beyond International Women’s Day and see women empowerment as a cross-cutting concern, and finally end the vicious cycle of women getting the short end of the stick, time and time again. Because if we truly want to ensure equity, economic progress, and health for all – the Philippines, the entire world must put on a gender lens on response and recovery,” said SPARK! PH Executive Director Mikaela Luisa Carmen R. Teves.
“International Women’s Day is a day of celebration. We celebrate how far we have come as women in achieving gender equality. We celebrate great women also who have made a difference in the world. We celebrate ordinary women who refuse to give up as they struggle to survive each day and to overcome life’s many challenges. We celebrate grassroots women who transform their communities daily with little acts of love and sacrifice. We celebrate our little victories as women who dare to be courageous, to stand up for what is right and just and to dream and to achieve,” said Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
To empower more women in a nationwide scale, SPARK! PH have with key organizations and agencies such as the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Austrian Embassy Manila, the British Embassy Manila, the Embassy of Sweden in Manila, the Embassy of the Czech Republic in the Philippines, the German Embassy Manila, the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Philippine Commission on Women, Women Inter-Industry Network, Philippine Financial & Inter-Industry Pride, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative, Zarah Juan, AGREA, Lily of the Valley, SCALE, Campus Erasmus Mundus, Inc., Third Team Media, Dalareich Food Products , Love Bohol, and official Media Partner Inquirer POP, OneNews, OnePH co-presented by Carefree Philippines, TELUS International, Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc., Smart and the PLDT-Smart Foundation.
The efforts of Smart and PSF to promote gender equality and inclusion are part of Smart’s nationwide advocacy to #LiveSmart for a #BetterWorld.
