Moms and Dads

5 Reasons to Support Women Entrepreneurs

by Gretchen Gatan Fragada
March 2, 2023

Filipinas have been making big waves in the business scene, with many being mothers. Here’s how we can support women entrepreneurs.

For many years now, Filipinas have been making massive changes in the business scene. They’ve been climbing the ladder of success higher than ever before—and the support of other women entrepreneurs has helped boost that growth even further. There are many reasons to support them, and here are some:

A woman entrepreneur giving a speech — Photo by MART PRODUCTION

1. They help the economy

By starting and growing their businesses, women entrepreneurs are able to contribute to the country’s economic growth. In fact, back in 2016, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) contributed around P610 billion to the Philippines’ gross domestic product and many of these were women-owned businesses. Moreover, based on available data, it is estimated that one in four SMEs in the country is run by women.

2. They provides jobs

Women entrepreneurs create jobs not just for themselves but also for fellow Filipinos. According to DTI 2020 MSME Statistics, small and medium enterprises account for 62.66% of all jobs in the Philippines. So without entrepreneurs and their businesses, many Filipinos would be unemployed.

3. They create a competitive market

By starting businesses, women entrepreneurs help attract foreign investors to improve the country’s overall economic standing.

4. They offer unique products and services

Filipinas are some of the most brilliant, creative, and hardworking people. They constantly create products and services to improve lives. For example, there’s Gina Romero, the CEO and Co-Founder of Connected Women, a social impact tech startup that offers online skills training, development, and remote work opportunities to women in the Philippines. Then, there’s Pamela Ann Baluyo, Founder and CEO of Scale Experts, which provides managed support services and virtual assistance, among many things.

There’s also Marge Aviso, Founder and CEO of Telework PH, a homegrown BPO based in Bulacan, and Vanessa Janssen, the CEO of an all-female service provider firm based in Clark.

All are mothers and are part of a Women Entrepreneurs Meetup happening on March 9 (Thursday) at 4 PM in WeWork Menarco Tower BGC. The event allows people to connect with women leading the country’s outsourcing sector. Interested participants can reserve a slot here.

5. Many are mothers trying to pay the bills, make ends meet, or contribute to the household income

Lastly, many women entrepreneurs are actually mothers who started their own businesses (mompreneurs!) to have more control over their time. This allows them to balance taking care of their children and managing the household while generating income that can sustain their families.

Let’s support women entrepreneurs!

This International Women’s Month, let’s lift each other up by continuing to support each other. By showing love for women entrepreneurs, we’re helping their businesses thrive, which in turn can have a positive impact on the entire community. As the saying goes, “Behind every successful woman is a tribe of other successful women who have her back.”