WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT:

A KEY TO BUILDING A STRONG NATION

Originally prepared and presented by EMMELINE L. VERZOSA, Executive Director, National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women during the Luzon Regional Training on Gender in Microfinance; Bayview Park Hotel, Manila City; November 12, 2005

GEMMA IFURUNG

National Commission on the Role of the Filipino Women

Visayas Regional Training On Gender In Microfinance

Cebu Business Hotel, Cebu City

3 December 2005

NCRFWNCRFW::the lead government agency

steering development efforts

towards women’s women’s empowerment empowerment and gender gender

equalityequality

Vision

We, in partnership with key stakeholders, shall make government work for the promotion, protection and fulfillment of women’s human rights to enable women and men to equally contribute to and benefit from development.

Mission

We shall pursue this through

gender mainstreaminggender mainstreaming

to make government

policies, plans, programs and services gender gender

responsiveresponsive

Mission

PlanningPlanning

Monitoring &

Evaluation

Monitoring &

Evaluation

ImplementationImplementation

Programming &

Budgeting

Programming &

Budgeting

6B

National and Local Development Planning Cycle

GADPlanning,

M&E

InstitutionalMechanism

Advocacy &Training

GADData Base

PlanningPlanning

Monitoring &

Evaluation

Monitoring &

Evaluation

ImplementationImplementation

Programming &

Budgeting

Programming &

Budgeting

6B

The GAD Mainstreaming Strategy

Enhanced enablingenabling environment

for government to

develop, implement, monitor and evaluate gender-responsivegender-responsive

policies, plans, programs, and projects at the national and local levels.

Goal

1. Coordinates the preparation of Philippine development plans for women

2. Acts as clearinghouse and database for information relating to women

Core

Functions

3. Conducts policy studies and reviews legislation to integrate women’s and gender concerns

4. Provides technical services and ensures the development of institutional capabilities for GAD mainstreaming of government agencies and local partners

Core

Functions

5. Monitors and assesses the implementation of laws and policies on women including international treaties and conferences

6. Undertakes continuing advocacy to promote women’s economic, social, and political empowerment

Core

Functions

FRAMEWORK PLAN FOR WOMEN (FPW)

• Time slice of the PPGD

• 3 Major Thrusts

- Advancing and protecting Women’s

Human Rights

- Promotion of Women’s Economic

Empowerment

- Promotion of Gender-Responsive

Governance

GOVERNMENT NGOs/ CSOs

PRIVATE SECTOR ACADEME/ GRCs

GOVERNMENT NGOs/ CSOs

PRIVATE SECTOR ACADEME/ GRCs

The FPW Conceptual FrameworkEMPOWERED WOMEN,

STRONGER NATION

WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT/ GENDER EQUALITY

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC

EMPOWERMENT

WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS

BEAT THE ODDS

BEAT THE ODDS

MEDIUM-TERMPHILIPPINE

DEVELOPMENTPLAN

(MTPDP)

GE

ND

ER

MA

INSTR

EA

MIN

GG

EN

DER

MA

INSTR

EA

MIN

G

GE

ND

ER

MA

INSTR

EA

MIN

GG

EN

DER

MA

INSTR

EA

MIN

G

THE “BIBINGKA” PRINCIPLE

NGO

s

NGO

s

empowerment representation monitoring gov’t implementation of GAD commitments at grassroots level

NCRFWNCRFWOversight

identify criticalpoints ofintervention

build alliancesand supportsystems

GAD monitoring

GENDER-RESPONSIVEGENDER-RESPONSIVEDEVELOPMENTDEVELOPMENT

GOsGOs

GAD mainstreaming initiatives policy/program

reformulation resource allocation institutional reform capacity-building

FPW ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OBJECTIVES

• Enhance sustainable access of women to capital market, training, information, technology and technical assistance

• Enhance employment and livelihood skills of women, particularly in high value adding industries and agricultural activities

• Increase awareness of women of their economic rights and opportunities

GAD in the MTPDPPart III. Social Justice and Basic NeedsChapter I. Basic Needs: Anti-Poverty Programs

1.1 Livelihood

“In particular, since women are the majority target of microfinance initiatives, programs should aim, not just to reduce income poverty, but to empower women as well. Women’s active participation in decision-making in small enterprise development, gender consciousness and empowerment ensure that programs are sensitive to women’s specific needs and roles, especially as wives and mothers that exercise control over their micro-enterprises and also benefit personally from

them”.

GAD in the MTPDPPart III. Social Justice and Basic Needs

Chapter I. Basic Needs: Anti-Poverty Programs

On Livelihood

Develop gender-responsive microfinance services and products in partnership with LGUs, NGOs and POs

- training

- product development

- market access

- new technologies

- social insurance

- women’s health (e.g. family planning and

- other basic services (e.g. housing and pension)

Key Elements in Pursuing Gender Responsive Microfinance Policies and Programs

• Clear expression of gender equality and women’s empowerment as goals in microfinance policies and programs of microfinance institutions (MFIs)

• Adoption of the credit plus five approach

Key Elements in Pursuing Gender Responsive Microfinance Policies and Programs• Capability-building of personnel in concerned GFIs

(i.e. PCFC and Landbank) and retailer MFIs on gender awareness and integration of gender perspective in programs and services

• Monitoring and Evaluation- Development of qualitative and quantitative indicators and

measures of women’s empowerment

- Integration and application of indicators in M & E scheme

• Development of feedback and participatory decision-making mechanism

Role of MFIs in Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment

• Review, data analysis and research• Pro-actively integrate gender in programs

and services- Awareness of and support for women

clients’ concerns- Empowerment among the MFI Staff

• Including relevant qualitative and quantitative measures of women’s empowerment in M & E scheme

HELP YOUR CLIENTS MOVE OUT OF POVERTY

Adopt a Credit Plus Approach

COMPREHENSIVE MICROFINANCE

PACKAGE

NONFINANCIALSERVICES

FINANCIALSERVICES

Credit and savings

Skills training, *social security, modules on responsible parenthood, health and nutrition, family planning, *occupational safety and health and gender empowerment, *micro-insurance and housing

HELP YOUR CLIENTS MOVE OUT OF POVERTY

How?

FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Focus on your strengths, passion and mission and

LINKLINK with organizations with complimentary services

FORMING STRATEGIC ALLIANCES

Three ways:

1. Linked approach – partner with other organizations

2. Parallel approach – create new service unit within your organization

3. Unified approach – multi-tasking of staff

FORM STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WITH

NAPC NCRFWPCFC DepEdTESDA DOSTDOLE DTIDILG DSWDDOH DA, DAR

LGUs, NGOs

THANK YOU