Aboitiz Group steadfast in accelerating workplace gender equality in the Philippines
(PHOTO COURTESY OF PBCWE)
The Aboitiz Group remains steadfast in its commitment to accelerate workplace gender equality in the Philippines, emphasizing its importance in the Group’s #OneAboitiz Sustainability Framework. The Aboitiz Group sits on the board of trustees of the Global Compact Network Philippines (GCNP), and two of its companies—Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. (AEV) and Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC)—are members of the Philippine Business Coalition for Women Empowerment (PBCWE).
Established in 2017, PBCWE is the inaugural project of the Philippine Women’s Economic Network (PhilWEN) in partnership with Investing in Women, an initiative of the Australian Government. Meanwhile, the GCNP is the local entity of the United Nations Global Compact that is tasked with aligning and championing Philippine sustainability initiatives on an international level through policy proposals, sustainability advocacies, and accessible initiatives.
Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar, vice president for Reputation Management of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, represented the Aboitiz Group and served as the moderator of the forum
In a recently-concluded forum and joint report launch held by Philippine business groups and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) entitled “Accelerating the sustainability momentum and workplace gender equality advantage,” Ana Margarita “Ginggay” Hontiveros-Malvar, vice president for Reputation Management of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, represented the Aboitiz Group and served as the moderator of the forum. The event tackled the results of a 2021 report on Workplace Gender Equality and Sustainability among the top 30 Publicly-Listed Companies (PLCs) in the Philippines, and also included talks from prime sustainability experts in the government, private sector, academe, and standards organizations.
“We at the Aboitiz Group, as an equal opportunity employer and a champion for sustainability, workplace gender equality, and diversity and inclusion, are always eager to support Philippine business coalitions as we advance the country towards real and sustainable workplace gender equality. The Aboitiz Group, through our #OneAboitiz Sustainability Framework and ongoing Great Transformation journey, continues to build a work environment that is fair and equal to women and persons of all genders,” said Hontiveros.
The Aboitiz Group actively promotes workplace gender equality among AEV and all its subsidiaries through its Code of Ethics, and internal policies and campaigns. Other initiatives include employee engagement programs such as the Aboitiz Women’s Club—which aims to empower women across the Group—and learning sessions on new or updated laws that address gender equality in the Philippines.
Externally, the Group has also spearheaded several corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs for workplace gender equality. The Aboitiz Foundation, for example, has supported the Benguet Thanksgiving Multi-Purpose Cooperative (MPC) by conducting capability-building training workshops and financial workshops to its women members and officers.
Meanwhile, Pilmico, the food business of the Group, previously partnered with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Negosyo Center to empower women and the youth through its Wooden Spoon Program. Through the partnership, Pilmico and Aboitiz Foundation donated the “Wooden Spoon” training facility, which provided entrepreneur bakers and pastry chefs the space to learn, innovate, and collaborate, with the ultimate goal of giving them the technical training and know-how to start and run their own bread and pastry business.
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