Womens Economic Empowerment

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

NCRFW :

the lead government agency

steering development efforts

towards women’s empowerment and gender equality

V ision

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.

M ission

We shall pursue this through

gender mainstreaming

to make government

policies, plans, programs and services gender responsive

M ission

National and Local Development Planning Cycle Planning Monitoring & Evaluation Implementation Programming & Budgeting 6B

GAD Planning, M&E Institutional Mechanism Advocacy &Training GAD Data Base Planning Monitoring & Evaluation Implementation Programming & Budgeting 6B The GAD Mainstreaming Strategy

Enhanced enabling environment

for government to

develop, implement, monitor and evaluate gender-responsive

policies, plans, programs, and projects

at the national and local levels.

G oal

Coordinates the preparation of Philippine development plans for women

Acts as clearinghouse and database for information relating to women

C ore F unctions

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

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

C ore F unctions

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

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

C ore F unctions

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 The FPW Conceptual Framework EMPOWERED WOMEN, STRONGER NATION WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT/ GENDER EQUALITY WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS BEAT THE ODDS BEAT THE ODDS MEDIUM-TERM PHILIPPINE DEVELOPMENT PLAN (MTPDP) GENDER MAINSTREAMING GENDER MAINSTREAMING GENDER-RESPONSIVE GOVERNANCE

THE “BIBINGKA” PRINCIPLE NGOs  empowerment  representation  monitoring gov’t implementation of GAD commitments at grassroots level NCRFW Oversight  identify critical points of intervention  build alliances and support systems  GAD monitoring GENDER-RESPONSIVE DEVELOPMENT GOs 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 MTPDP

Part III. Social Justice and Basic Needs

Chapter 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 MTPDP

Part 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 NON FINANCIAL SERVICES FINANCIAL SERVICES 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