Press Release
December 27, 2014

Villar cites the need for more empowered women

Senator Cynthia A. Villar has underscored the need for more empowered women due to the significant role they play in nation building.

Speaking during the Philippine Federation of Local Councils of Women (PFLCW) 12th Annual General Assembly with the theme, "Economic Rights & Opportunities: Growth for Women" at Taal Vista Hotel in Tagaytay City, Villar stressed that when "we empower women, we empower families and generations of people."

Nowadays, she said women empowerment is not just about the struggle for their rights although this remains crucial due to high incidence of domestic violence.

Villar noted that in empowering our women, we should also zero in on their economic empowerment.

She personally believes that a woman who can stand on her own, fend for herself and her family can become a productive citizen and can defend herself and the welfare of her loved ones. When she was still a congresswoman in 2001 until 2010, she has prioritized legislations that uphold the welfare of women and family. She led the lady legislators of Congress in pushing for pro-women legislations like the Magna Carta of Women and Anti-Violence against Women and Children Act.

As managing director of Villar Foundation, now the Villar Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance (SIPAG), she continued her pro-women advocacies.

"I am advocating livelihood of the poor especially for women. This is through my livelihood programs. My goal is to establish a livelihood project in all of the 1,600 municipalities and cities all over the Philippines," related Villar.

She also reiterated her strong belief that "when you educate a woman, you educate a generation." Furthermore, when you teach a woman livelihood skills or provide her a job or source of income, you feed an entire family, she said.

It is good that women nowadays are getting more active in seizing opportunities for learning and development--which really proves that Filipino women are becoming more empowered," she said.

As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, she has proven that the agriculture sector is the key to country's development. Two-thirds of our country's population is, in one way or the other, involved or dependent on agriculture and one-third are agricultural workers themselves.

"This is not surprising because we are an agricultural country," said the three-term congresswoman of Las Piñas City.

She averred that many of our women are being considered a dominant force in agriculture. Unfortunately, since the agricultural workers are among the poorest in our country, these women from farming families bear the burdens of poverty, too. The women in the agriculture belong to the poor sector.

"In my own capacity and ability, I provide support to women in agriculture, by giving them know-how and skills that they can use to grow their livelihood and improve their conditions in life," added the senator.

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