#ProjectInspire calls on social innovators empowering women

MANILA, Philippines – Are we doing enough to empower Filipino women?

Of the 32 million women who can be economically active in the Philippines, more than half are unemployed as of 2013, the latest data from Philippine Statistics Authority revealed.

While the gender gap in education has been better through the years with 15% more women in college than men, the women labor participation rate is still 36% less than that of men. This means millions of educated Filipino women are left unproductive, probably resorting to “unskilled work” just to make ends meet for their families. 

Violence against women still persists in the Philippines, with one out of 5 women aged 15 to 49 experiencing physical violence in 2013. It is more alarming that a number of these women experience such violence even during their pregnancy.

Put your skills to good use

You can actually help change the future for these women.

Pitch your social enterprise model in a 5-minute video to empower Filipinas and win $25,000 to fund your start-up.

Now on its 5th year, Project Inspire has been leveling the playing field for non-profit and social enterprises to have a chance to do more for women all over the world.

This is an initiative of the Singapore Committee for UN Women and MasterCard to uplift the condition of women in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. More than 1,800 pitch proposals were submitted since its conception, and 2,100 lives dramatically changed from the project.

The competition is open to all, but the group leader must be 18 to 35 years old.

This year’s theme is “Design Thinking and Technology for Social Good,” requiring applicants to utilize design or technology as a tool within their social enterprise for economic empowerment. It need not be the central function of the enterprise, but it must be visible. 

Submission of entries is open until July 1. The top 20 semi-finalists will be announced on August 30, each will be supported financially through an international crowdfunding effort. This way, all social enterprise entries have a chance to start their ground work and create real impact on their communities.

The finalists will then be announced and will participate in a bootcamp to prepare for their final pitch on November 13 in Singapore. 

The Sinag Store Project, the only Filipino finalist from last year’s competition, has its social entreprise model fully functional right after the competition. It has been training disadvantaged female students on social entrepreneurship and financial management with graphic design training, eventually helping the students launch their own design store online.

It was led by Sinag Microfunds, a non-profit organization that supports financially struggling students through interest-free loans. The team is led by 7 alumni from the University of the Philippines.

With the dissonance in the education and employment situation for women and the continuous culture of abuse, we have yet to see a crucial moment for gender equality and women welfare in the Philippines.

Be part of the solution today. – Rappler.com

If you plan to join or would like some assistance in crafting your social enterprise idea, please visit the competition guidelines here. Or contact any of the country ambassadors for Project Inspire in the Philippines at fatima.gaw@gmail.com, jill.bacasmas@yahoo.com, or annmotilla@gmail.com.