To observe the International Women’s Day on March 8, Senator Cynthia Villar and Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar, through the Villar SIPAG Foundation, offered “Kabuhayan Para Sa Kababaihan sa Mapanghamong Panahon” to help empower Filipino women.
The program, aired on Facebook and in partnership with East-West Seed Foundation Inc., was filled with knowledge, information and inspiration for women.
Women participants who joined the program also won several prizes that included a livelihood showcase, grocery packs and others during the raffle draw.
Both Villar and Rep. Villar are known advocates of women, fighting for their rights and welfare. They share the belief that “when we empower women, we empower families and generations of people.”
Since women empowerment has been evolving over the years as it is not just confined to empowerment against violence and other forms of abuse, they believe that women should be empowered economically.
According to Sen. Villar and Rep. Villar, women have a lot to contribute to the country’s development if they would just be given opportunities and tools such as learning new skills.
Through the Villar SIPAG, the senator has been providing jobs and livelihood opportunities to women so they can help augment the earnings of their husbands.
The senator has been bringing livelihood projects in communities all over the country. In fact, she has established around 3,000 livelihoods nationwide. In this way, the senator said, women no longer needed to leave their homes in order to earn money. “They can do their work at home while taking care of their children.”
“Or they can walk going to their work as the livelihood projects are located within their communities, near their homes,” said Villar who has been prioritizing women in her projects and programs.
Senator Villar also says empowering women is one of the most effective ways to make a positive difference in society because “women have the power to lead, serve, nurture and transform.”
Being a legislator and social entrepreneur, the senator says, she focuses and provides women, particularly those in poor communities, with livelihood opportunities to become financially independent and economically empowered.