05/05/2026
Through a series of focus group discussions with mothers in North Siargao, led by Master’s Student in International Development, Georgia Schipper, we took time to listen closely to women’s everyday realities.
What we heard was both powerful and deeply familiar. Women carry so much - caring for children and elders, managing households, and often contributing to income, and while many named this as unfair, it is often accepted out of love, duty, and responsibility to family.
Their stories also revealed how community expectations and “chismis” can shape choices, how earning does not always mean full control over income, and how women are often judged by a different standard.
And yet, there is movement. Women are reflecting, questioning, and slowly reshaping what is possible within their families and communities.
Thank you Georgia for listening and shining light on women’s voices, Ali for creating space to calm our nervous system, and especially to all the mothers who shared their thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
These conversations remind us that empowerment begins with listening. By understanding lived experiences, we can build programs and support that honor both the strength women already hold and the realities they navigate every day.
