Villar works for women economic empowerment

Saying women empowerment has been evolving over the years, Senator Cynthia Villar noted that now, it is not just confined to empowerment against violence and other forms of abuse, but in great extent, economic empowerment.

Villar said she believes that women have a lot to contribute to the country's development if they would just be given opportunities such as learning new skills.

"I also believe that when we empower women, we empower families and generations of people," stressed Villar, a know advocate of women, fighting for their rights and welfare.

Because of this, Villar said she prioritizes women in her projects and programs.

As a woman in governance with a leadership role, Villar said there is no better way to see her influence than help her fellow women and their families.

She said it is one of the most effective ways to make a positive difference in the society because "women have the power to lead, serve, nurture and transform."

Villar said that being a legislator and social entrepreneur, she focuses and provides women, particularly those in poor communities, with livelihood opportunities to become financially independent and economically empowered.

She also mentioned her Villar SIPAG has been establishing livelihood projects. At present, they have built 1,900 livelihood projects all over the Philippines.

She noted that the benefits that these projects provide to the people are direct and fast.

"No need for seed capital because the raw materials came from wastes and "we provide the training and technology for free," she said.

The senator also said they have a similar advocacy for OFWs, majority of whom are women. She said there is a significant number of OFWs who encounter problems abroad.

She said Villar SIPAG has resched and repatriated many of them under their Sagip-OFW program. The repatriated OFWs are provided with skills-up training to give them employable skills.

Furthermore, as chairperson of the Senate agriculture and food committee, she also embarks on helping the country's agriculture since two-thirds of the country's population are directly or indirectly involved in this sector. Women also benefit from agricultural development because based on statistics, 25 percent of the world's population is composed of women-farmers. Oftentimes, some of them are heads of their families or households.