Multimedia Reporter
Patricia Mirasol
With the Philippines ranking 8th out of 54 countries in the Mastercard Index of Women Entrepreneurs 2017, Filipina entrepreneurs are well represented in the local business environment. While many factors go into this healthy representation, these fertile grounds for female ventures have much to do with the robust support systems the community offers women in business.
Among these is GoNegosyo’s Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit, an annual event focused on reinforcing the entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipina and recognizing their capacity to be agents of change and progress. This year’s iteration, Women 2020, was designed to be the biggest and most inclusive women entrepreneurship summit organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Philippines, in partnership with Go Negosyo.
“Majority of the… micro and small entrepreneurs are women. They are natural-born entrepreneurs. We are proud to honor their passion and perseverance that greatly contributed to the country’s growth towards prosperity for all,” said Joey Concepcion, presidential adviser for entrepreneurship and Go Negosyo founder.
Women 2020 dove into exploring the role and identity of women in the global business landscape, as well as how they could unleash their potential for creating impact in the world, thereby producing sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all regions. The highlights of the event included a plenary where ASEAN speakers discussed various opportunities for women to participate in economic activities, an awarding ceremony that recognized exceptional ASEAN women entrepreneurs, and a livestream simulcast in select regions across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Multifaceted women
The discussions at the summit also tackled the how’s of the following topics:
- Women of impact – how women are making a meaningful and relevant impact on their society.
- Women of legacy – how women can create legacies that will stand the test of time
- Women of style and substance – how best to define beauty for women
- Women of the earth – how women can help to produce sustainable food and crops
- Women of the world – how women can navigate and lead in tourism
- Women of the future – how women can equip themselves to be future-ready
The Philippines topped Grant Thornton International’s 2020 Women in Business report with the most number of women occupying senior management positions. Notwithstanding the formidable barriers that challenge all business owners like lack of funding and institutional inefficiencies, with strong support from the local community, the country is currently one of the best countries to be a female in business.
