SM salutes National Women’s Month by signing UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, ‘Women at Work’ webinar

SM salutes National Women’s Month by signing UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, ‘Women at Work’ webinar

Co-signatories of the WEPs were SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and SM Supermalls, represented by Mr. Steven Tan (left), President of SM Supermalls, The SM Store, represented by its President, Ms. Chelo Monasterio

SM celebrates National Women’s Month with two significant milestones to highlight the important role of women in the workplace. During the launch of its Women at Work pop-up market on March 5 at SM Aura Premier, SM officially became a signatory of the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), making SM the largest homegrown company to sign the commitment to gender equality.

As co-signatories, the SM brand were represented by Mr. Steven Tan, President of SM Prime Holdings Inc and SM Supermalls, Mr. Chito Manalo, President of SM Retail, Inc., and Ms. Chelo Monasterio, President of The SM Store.

Women at Work Pop-Up Market at SM City Rosales

Championing a gender-inclusive workplace

Established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are a set of principles offering guidance to private organizations on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace, and community. By signing the WEPs, SM shows its commitment to the gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

“Following the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles, SM furthers its commitment to championing a gender-inclusive workplace. SM encourages women to grow to their fullest potential and provide opportunities to excel and be recognized,” said SM Supermalls President Steven Tan in an official statement of support for the UN WEPS.

Known as a staunch supporter of gender equality in the workforce, SM is an organization comprised of 99,727 or 63% women as of December 2019. More interestingly, 59% are Senior Management positions while 65% are in middle management. This data covers SM Investment Corporation, SM Retail, SM Prime, BDO, China Bank, 2GO, Atlas Mining, and Belle Corp. The signing of the partnership agreement with the UN Women further strengthened their commitment to promote women empowerment in the workforce.

SM City Sucat’s Women On The Go

Showing support to Women at Work

In celebration of March as Women’s History Month, SM has lined-up various activities to show their support for women. This includes the Women at Work pop-up markets that support local female-owned MSMEs in partnership with the Philippine Commission of Women (PCW) and UN Women in select SM malls nationwide from March 5 to 31. This initiative allows shoppers to discover women-owned and women-led brands in fashion, food, beauty, wellness, and local artisanal products.

As a yearly treat for all SM’s women customers, there will be various deals and promos for women shoppers for the whole month of March! It’s going to be A Beautiful Women’s Month at SM with Women’s Wednesday Sale where shoppers can get up to 50% discount on March 10, 17, 24 and 31 as well as the 3.3. Women’s Crazy Sale that runs till March 7 in all malls, where you can get up to 70% discount on beauty, fashion, and wellness deals. There will also be beauty and wellness fairs during the whole month of March.

SM will also hold a free Women at Work webinar for women entrepreneurs on March 10 and 11 from 10 AM to 12 NN. The two-day webinar aims to inspire and help women entrepreneurs discover the tools and resources needed to succeed in business.

Women at Work Pop-Up Market at SM City Davao

Hosted by multi-awarded broadcast journalist and Women Empowerment Advocate Karen Davila, Women at Work will open with Ms. Chelo Monasterio, President of The SM Store as the keynote speaker on day one. Ms. Rosalyn Mesina of UN Women, Ms. Gina Romero of Connected Women, and Ms. Gina Katigbak Life Coach, and Executive of SM Supermalls will show the many qualities of women that make things happen and succeed. Ms. Jamm San Juan of Frankie & Friends will also share her inspiring story on finding success amidst the current challenges

Day 2 of the webinar will provide the tools and resources to succeed in a business venture. The ultimate boss, Ms. Feli Atienza will teach how to optimize business resources and knowledge in building a successful enterprise. The market-driven approach to business will be presented by Mr. Aldwin Co of The SM Store and Mr. Gino Borromeo of SM Supermalls.

Ms. Karen Cua of BDO Network Bank will show where to access the capital to start and expand business ventures while Usec. Bles Lantayona of DTI and Chairperson Sandy Montano will share government programs and policies supporting and protecting women entrepreneurs.

Women at Work is presented by SM and its advocacy partners, UN Women, Department of Trade and Industries, Philippine Commission on Women, Connected Women, and BDO Network Bank.

To register, visit the Facebook pages of SM Supermalls, The SM Store, and BDO Network Bank or click this link http://bit.ly/WomenAtWorkWebinar. To get all the latest updates this Women’s Month, make sure to visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow @smsupermalls on all social media platforms.

Source: Business Mirror