The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held activities for the National Women’s Month Celebration (NWMC) on March 12, 2018 at the DTI, Trade and Industry Bldg., 361 Sen Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City.
The theme “We Make Change Work for Women” continues as the government pursues to uphold its principles anchored on the commitment of true compassion and real change or “Malasakit at Pagbabago.” This initiative likewise stems from President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s directive during his first State of the Nation Address, stating that “all agencies, oversight bodies, and local government units down to the barangay level to fully implement the Magna Carta of Women.”
Empowering Filipino women in business
This year, the number of Filipino women occupying top management posts in the workplace has now increased to 46.58%, which is over 6% to 7% higher from 2017 and 2016 respectively, reports Grant Thornton International Ltd.’s 2018 Women in Business report. The Philippines leads the poll in Southeast Asia, followed by Indonesia and Thailand at 42.56% and 42.07% respectively.
In 2017, over half of newly established businesses were owned by women—an increase of 5.29% since 2008. DTI implements programs availed by more women, such as Mentor ME with 66% women beneficiaries, SME Roving Academy with 63%, and Negosyo Centers with 55%, among others, providing mentoring services, equipment, and even financial assistance to women entrepreneurs nationwide.
Women Availing DTI Program Related Services
Source: DTI Sex Disaggregated Data: Cumulative Report of the Year 2017
DTI’s commitment for NWMC
Consistent with DTI’s Gender and Development (GAD) plan and framework, the agency’s focus is on addressing the need for women entrepreneurs to become competitive, sustainable, and inclusive, as well as for women consumers to become empowered by knowing their rights as consumers and enabling their access to quality products and services.♦