Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment

12/06/2026

🇵🇭 This June 12, we celebrate the Philippines’ hard-earned independence. A reminder that true freedom means equal opportunity for all.

🤝 At PBCWE, we carry this spirit forward by championing workplace gender equality, where every individual has the power to thrive, lead, and succeed. To learn more about our work, click here: https://pbcwe.com.ph/pbcwe-connects

08/06/2026

📢 𝗣𝗕𝗖𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘅𝗲𝗰𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿

PBCWE is proud to announce the appointment of Reuben James "RJ" Barrete as Acting Executive Director, marking an exciting new chapter in our strategic leadership journey.

💼 RJ brings over a decade of leadership experience across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors championing gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and inclusive development.

As we continue to advance inclusive workplaces and equitable growth, we are confident in RJ’s leadership to drive our mission forward. Read more here: https://pbcwe.com.ph/2026/06/08/pbcwe-announces-executive-leadership-transition/

🤝 At the same time, we extend our deepest gratitude to our outgoing Executive Director, Julia Abad. Her vision and leadership have been instrumental in shaping PBCWE over the past decade. We wish Julia all the best in her future endeavors.

👉 To learn more about PBCWE and our work with industry-leading companies, sign up here: https://pbcwe.com.ph/get-involved/.

04/06/2026

This 🌈 Pride Month, we reflect on the often unseen realities of LGBTQ+ leadership. In our latest 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻, RJ Barrete shares how many LGBTQ+ professionals carry the “silent labor” of constantly adjusting themselves to fit traditional expectations of leadership.

At PBCWE, we 🤝 recognize that true inclusion goes beyond visible support, it means reshaping workplaces so leaders can thrive as they are, without compromise. As a coalition working with businesses to advance gender equality and inclusive leadership, we remain committed to building cultures where authenticity is not a risk, but a strength.

This 💡 powerful reflection from our Director of Program Management and Client Services reminds us: inclusion is not just about representation, it’s about rethinking leadership itself. Read more here: https://opinion.inquirer.net/192147/the-quiet-pressure-behind-lgbtq-leadership

👉 To learn more about PBCWE and our work with industry-leading companies, sign up here: https://pbcwe.com.ph/get-involved/

Today's by Reuben James T. Barrete (Jun. 4, 2026).

Visit http://opinion.inquirer.net for fearless views and more.

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02/06/2026

that, while the Philippines ranks high on the Global Gender Gap Report (20 of 148 countries), everyday realities paint a different picture.

A recent paper published by Philippine Institute For Development Studies shows that, while the Philippines performs strongly in international gender assessments, everyday realities still limit women’s economic participation. Critical factors include: prevailing social norms, weak care infrastructure, and lack of quality jobs across different stages of life.

Closing the gap between women’s lived experiences and our collective aspirations for gender equality require a multi-faceted approach. Among the actions recommended by PIDS are: investments in care infrastructure and services, capturing intersectionality in data monitoring and analysis, and shifting systemic focus from parity and representation to job quality and labour market transitions.

These recommendations resonate with Investing in Women’s ongoing activities in the Philippines, such as:
➡️ Analysing data for workplace gender equality (WGE) and supporting companies in advancing their WGE goals through our partner Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment
➡️ Working with Department of Economy, Planning, and Development to identify practical pathways to implement flexible work arrangements and promote fair, secure and life-cycle responsive job opportunities for women and other underrepresented sectors
➡️ Understanding how social norms shape attitudes, behaviour and advocacy, and supporting local partners to promote positive examples of gender equality
➡️ Piloting innovative financial instruments that address the unique capital requirements of women-owned and led businesses.

Read the full policy note published by PIDS here: https://investinginwomen.asia/knowledge/high-marks-hidden-barriers-why-gender-rankings-tell-only-half-the-story/

Explore more about:
Social Norms, Attitudes, and Practices Survey (SNAPS) 2024 Philippine Country Factsheet: https://bit.ly/48MGUqm
and Future Demand for Care: https://investinginwomen.asia/knowledge/future-demand-for-care-in-indonesia-the-philippines-vietnam/

01/06/2026

June 1 marks the start of 🌈 Pride Month. It's a celebration of identity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. At PBCWE, we continue to champion gender equality through our Gender Equality, Results, and Strategies (GEARS) framework with our partner, Investing In Women.

Highlighting the 𝗙𝗼𝗰𝘂𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮 𝟭𝟮: 𝗟𝗚𝗕𝗧+ 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲, we support our member companies in fostering safe spaces, inclusive policies, and respectful cultures to empower everyone to bring their authentic selves to work. 💼

👉 To learn more about PBCWE and our work with industry-leading companies, sign up to https://pbcwe.com.ph/get-involved/ or email [email protected].

22/05/2026

On the Philippines–Australia Friendship Day, we celebrate a partnership that continues to break barriers and create pathways toward gender equality. 🇵🇭🤝🇦🇺

Through shared commitments to Women’s Gender Equality (WGE), Women’s Economic Equality (WEE), and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we our both driving meaningful change in workplaces and communities.

💪 PBCWE remains proud to support this progress championing inclusive leadership, advancing equitable opportunities, and building workplaces where everyone can thrive. Learn more about our work here: https://tinyurl.com/PBCWEConnects

19/05/2026

19/05/2026

💻 𝐀𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬.

From online harassment and image-based abuse to gendered misinformation and cyberstalking, technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) is reshaping how harm manifests in digital and workplace spaces.

Through our May 14 webinar, “𝐀𝐈, 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞,” attended by 51 participants from our member and partner organizations, we continue our commitment to advancing safe and inclusive workplaces. The session equipped organizations with the knowledge and tools needed to address emerging digital threats.

𝐓𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐰𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧:
✅ Promote safer workplace cultures
✅ Strengthen policies against digital harm
✅ Empower employees to speak up and act

👉 To learn more about PBCWE and our work with industry-leading companies, sign up to https://tinyurl.com/PBCWEConnects or email [email protected].

15/05/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀. 🌏

Network for Enterprising Women (NEW)'s Japan visit highlights the impact of cross-border collaboration—echoing PBCWE’s mission to advance inclusive growth and expand opportunities for women-led enterprises worldwide.

🔗 Read our latest column: https://opinion.inquirer.net/191529/new-strengthens-global-ties-during-japan-visit

👉 To learn more about PBCWE and our work with industry-leading companies, sign up to https://tinyurl.com/PBCWEConnects or email [email protected].

The Network for Enterprising Women (NEW), a Manila-based organization of women entrepreneurs, visited Tokyo from March 18 to 20, 2026, in celebration of its 20th anniversary. This year also marks the

10/05/2026

This Mother’s Day 🌺, we celebrate Filipino mothers with meaningful policy wins. PhilHealth’s expanded maternity benefits mean safer childbirth, lower costs, and better pre‑ and postnatal care for pregnant women nationwide.

📢 At PBCWE, we work to ensure that policies like these translate into real protection and dignity for working women and families. Because supporting mothers is essential to building a fair and inclusive workplace and society.

👉 To learn more about PBCWE and our work with industry-leading companies, sign up to https://tinyurl.com/PBCWEConnects or email [email protected].