PH women enjoined to participate in economic growth

Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) (Photo: Department of Social Welfare & Development/ Facebook)

MANILA — Filipino women need to be empowered so they could help themselves, their families and communities, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) officer-in-charge Emmanuel Leyco said.

“I think we can all agree that to hasten economic growth, the Philippines can benefit from an increased participation of women entrepreneurs,” Leyco said during Wednesday’s Women in Business Luncheon organized by the Australian-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and the Australian Embassy held at the Makati Diamond Residences.

Women, he said, can make substantial changes in their families and communities by becoming self-reliant and engaging in activities that can empower them, such as livelihood and entrepreneurship.

He cited as an example the crab farm of the Manggagawang Aktibo na Naglalayong Harapin ang Kinabukasan (MANHAK), a project that was developed and managed by women in Barangay Manhac in Looc, Romblon and funded by the DSWD’s Sustainable Livelihood Program.

Leyco, however, acknowledged that while the department encourages microenterprise development in communities, it has failed to focus on the special needs or push for more participation of women in its projects.

“I would like to make sure that our programs will have a special push for more and better women participation in our programs,” he said. (DSWD PR)