Gender equality in the workplace has been a prevalent topic in the Philippines. A 2020 Report published by the World Economic Forum indicated that the Philippines ranked 16th among other countries in the Global Gender Gap Index and ranked first among the East Asia & Pacific countries. While it's true that women have been given more opportunities over time, there remains a gender gap in many aspects. Over the past years, the number of women who hold executive positions has dropped, showing the increasing need to work towards gender parity. Nonetheless, various stakeholders, including Philippine government agencies and partners continue to pursue the promotion of women's rights in the workplace and society.
The ECCP, in partnership with its Women in Business Committee, invites you to the online conference entitled "Workplace Inclusivity: Breaking the Glass Ceiling", as speakers from the Philippine Senate, as well as women-led organizations discuss their own experiences as women leaders, the ongoing issue of gender pay gap, and how they continue to break the current gender roles across industries.
Senator Risa Hontiveros is a health and women’s rights advocate, a proud activist, and a champion of the basic sectors. True to her advocacy, she currently serves as the Chairperson of the Committee on Women, Children and Family relations in the 18th Congress. Senator Hontiveros has continuously pushed for legislation that fights social injustices, inequality and the struggle for stronger gender rights for all. Her most notable works include passing legislation such as the Mental Health Law, the Extended Maternity Law, and the Safe Spaces Act. To this day, the honourable Senator has continued to file measures for various bills concerning women & children, senior citizens, health workers and as well as the environment.
Sheila Lobien is currently the CEO at Lobien Realty Group Inc. (LRG), a full-service real estate consultancy and property investments strategy. Aside from this, Ms. Sheila also advocates for gender equality and women empowerment and currently chairs the Women in Business Committee of the European Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ECCP).
Rosalyn Mesina is the UN Women Philippines Programme Manager for We Empower Asia – a programme promoting women’s economic empowerment through private sector engagement, entrepreneurship and adaption of women’s empowerment principles at various levels. Over the past 20 years, she has joined various research, advocacies and campaigns promoting the advancement of women’s causes and as well as promoting gender equality and women empowerment.
Carmie De Leon is currently the General Manager for Healthway Corporate and Vice-President for Sales and Marketing at Healthway Medical, the largest chain of outpatient clinics in the country established in 1997. Carmie’s corporate experience of over 3 decades paved the way for her expertise in sales and marketing, customer care, business development, operations, talent management, client relations, and strategic partnership.
Michelle Jewsbury founded Unsilenced Voices in July 2017. It is a nonprofit organization focused on inspiring change in communities around the globe by encouraging victims to break free and survivors to speak up about domestic violence and sexual assault. She is an international philanthropist, speaker, author, and coach that has traveled the world as an advocate for the less fortunate.
Lourdes Angeles is currently the Executive Management Consultant where she assumed the management of local operations of Champ Cargosystems, a global IT Company that provides integrated solutions and distribution services for the air logistics community. She has 25 years of experience in IT Management, Corporate Planning, Business Process Outsourcing, and Managed Services, IT Business, and Executive Management.
In close partnership with government, businesses, civil society, and academia, ECCP passionately works to enhance the business environment for both European and Filipino companies.