Celebrating International Women’s Day at SM

Celebrating International Women’s Day at SM. Over a thousand women’s
empowerment and gender equality advocates gathered at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura for a summit to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). Anchored on the IWD theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ the summit was headlined by keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda (third from left), who was joined by (from right): SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) O0cer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado and Deputy Executive Director Kristine Balmes, and moderator Bernadette Sembrano. Led by the PCW and UN Women, in partnership with SM Supermalls, the summit gathered esteemed speakers and panelists including United Nations Philippines Resident Coordinator
Gustavo Gonzalez, Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, and She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers.

Building femmepire for womentrepreneurs

The Women at Work Pop-Up Market is SM’s platform to support local female-owned businesses in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Women, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held at the Annex Event Center in SM City Davao, which runs from March 5 to 31. The same fair will be also conducted at The Atrium in SM Lanang Premier on March 12-19.

The Women at Work Fair ribbon cutting ceremony was graced by (L-R) Mutya ng Davao 2019 Jeriza Uy, Jennevy V. Cabiza, Area Coorinator, Great Women Project Philippine Commission on Women, Michaela Angela Gonzales, Owner of Green Bounty Kitchen, and Pinky S. Hinong, Group Marketing Manager, SM Supermalls Mindanao.

Building femmepire for womentrepreneurs

A believer of sustainability, banana chip maker Bienvenida Morales rolls up her sleeves and moves forward amid life’s challenges. To her, it is best to keep their hands busy and stay productive than giving up.

Bienvenida Morales, president of Salingcomot Rural Women Association

“We must always continue,” shares Morales, president of Salingcomot Rural Women Association.

The association based in Baganga, Davao Oriental, which started in 2017, has now 43 members. They offer different products including banana chips, massage oil, fabric conditioner, and dishwashing liquid.

Another group of empowered women, San Lorenzo Women’s Group Association (SALOWAGA), meanwhile, seize the opportunity amid pandemic — to make cloth face masks in different designs and sizes.

SALOWAGA president Jovelyn Anac shares that they are able to innovate and help boost supply of face masks especially in these times of crisis. Apart from face masks, their association sells bags, hankerchief, bracelets, pillow cases and other products.

Jovelyn Anac, president of San Lorenzo Women’s Group Association

The group, which began in 2017, is based in San Lorenzo, Talomo, Davao City with 30 active members.

Salingcomot Rural Women Association and SALOWAGA are among the exhibitors in the Women at Work Pop-Up Market at The Annex Event Center in SM City Davao, which runs from March 5 to 31. The same fair will be also conducted at The Atrium in SM Lanang Premier on March 12-19.

“Through the pop-up market organized by SM, we are able to feature and promote our products. We are truly grateful to SM Supermalls,” says Anac.

The Women at Work Pop-Up Market is SM’s platform to support local female-owned businesses. It is in partnership with United Nations (UN) Women, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).

Here are other products on display and other photos during the opening of the Fair.

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