- Filipinas ready to rise in Male-dominated Jobs with Ariel #AhonPinay
- Ariel Philippines launched #AhonPinay (#RiseWomen) to create awareness, and to uplift and encourage women in their selected vocations.
Ariel walks the talk with its women empowerment advocacy as the first batch of Ariel #AhonPinay graduates of technical-vocation programs received their diplomas from the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA). The program, undertaken in partnership with Ariel Philippines, allowed these women to hone their skills in traditionally male-dominated areas such as Shielded Metal Arc Welding, Plumbing, Automotive Servicing, as well as Electrical Installation and Maintenance, which are in-demand jobs in the country and abroad. To date, the TESDA-Ariel training program has produced 60 graduates of highly skilled Filipinas who are more than capable in joining the workforce.
“Anyone can be good welders, plumbers, electrical and installation maintenance technicians, and auto mechanics, whether one is a man or a woman. There should be no barriers for women, and we want them to realize that too. We want to open more opportunities for women in the workplace, even in traditionally male-dominated jobs, and empower them to reach their full potential. In support of this, we appreciate the efforts behind the #AhonPinay advocacy, and we are very proud to be a part of this shared vision with Ariel,” TESDA Director General Sec. Guiling A. Mamondiong said.
As each graduate received her diploma, commencement speaker Ms. Maria Fe Perez-Agudo— President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Philippines, Inc. (HARI), and a successful woman in a traditionally male-dominated field— looked on, basking in pride at the achievement of each graduate. Over the past several months, the women have taken evening classes for their competency-based training so that they could excel in their field. Apart from challenging themselves by taking on these tasks, these women are also trained to aim for a better financial future for their families.
“Our participation in the commencement exercises of TESDA is a celebration of the power of women to choose their vocation and to celebrate their progress in life, which is at the core of #AhonPinay campaign,” said Agudo in her keynote speech. To cap off her inspiring message, Agudo invited all the graduates to send in their application forms to HARI. More than just imparting inspiring words to remember by, Agudo proactively contributes to the Ariel #AhonPinay advocacy by opening up more doors of employment opportunities to the female TESDA graduates.
The top graduate of each course was given the stage to share their thoughts. Ariane Mae Quinto, the top student of Plumbing NCII, shared her moving story of how her studies under the TESDA program inspired her to endure the challenging tests and to strive towards success. “Nakita ko ang self-worth ko bilang babae, na kahit mundo man ng lalaki ang aking ginagalawan, kaya ko rin palang makipagsabayan sa tug-tog ng buhay,” Quinto proudly adds.
The graduation also coincided with the opening of TESDA’s new Ariel #AhonPinay training room – an Electrical Installation and Maintenance training room equipped with the facilities to enable the education of women who aim to make their mark in the electrical installation and maintenance field. Through this partnership, Ariel continues to support TESDA in training more women to excel in their chosen field of work.
“For TESDA’s students, their graduation from the Ariel #AhonPinay training program is just the beginning for their journey. As they go and achieve new heights in professions dominated by men, we want them to realize that they are not simply working for personal growth, but they are also creating a more progressive Philippines by building a community that empowers and supports the society at large. At P&G, we have a sustained focus on women empowerment with our #WeSeeEqual global campaign which strives to create a world that is free from gender bias with equal representation and an equal voice for women and men. We know that when women have a voice and the opportunity for full representation, that businesses perform better, economies thrive and communities are healthier,” explains Louie Morante, Regional Brand Communications, P&G Asia Fabric and Home Care.
Ariel #AhonPinay Uplifts the Modern Filipina
Ariel #AhonPinay is Ariel’s advocacy that celebrates the modern-day heroine in every Filipina, aiming to eliminate boundaries in gender professional capabilities and to open dialogue on issues women face in their respective industries.
According to a study conducted by the Asian Development Bank, 94% of women contribute to the growth of the Philippines’ economy— underscoring their enormous contribution. Despite this, equality in the workforce remains a challenge in the Philippines. Although the country has advanced in its efforts to bridge the gap in inequality between men and women in the workforce, it is still an issue in the country, with the ADB study noting that women still suffer from gender deficits.
Recognizing its role in empowering women, Ariel Philippines launched #AhonPinay (#RiseWomen) to create awareness, and to uplift and encourage women in their selected vocations. Ariel #AhonPinay brings life to the brand’s objective of celebrating progressive women, where the brand wants to tangibly influence as many women to continue to progress in life.
To ensure that this message is heard loud and clear by all women, Ariel Philippines also released an online video featuring Kris Aquino’s resilience as a woman who rose to the top despite the challenges, controversies, and stains in her life. The video was released in March 8, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, and can be found in Ariel Philippines’ Youtube page.
Through the years, Ariel has proudly stood behind and advocated for the empowerment of women across the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region, working alongside women advocacy groups to celebrate the achievements of women. Among its groundbreaking campaigns to celebrate progressive women are a partnership with the Vietnam Women’s Union and Saigon Coop to support female initiatives, honoring women across diverse sectors such as agriculture, scientific, and industry; and the Ariel #JuanWash campaign in the Philippines that encouraged men all over the Philippines to do their share of laundry duties, in the process highlighting equality of men and women in doing household chores while freeing up women from laundry chores. Elsewhere, Ariel India, P&G, and BBDO Worldwide showed how fathers and husbands can take small steps, such as doing laundry, to create more equal homes through the #ShareTheLoad campaign.
P&G’s #WeSeeEqual: A Global Movement
The Ariel #AhonPinay campaign is the Philippine leg of P&G’s #WeSeeEqual campaign, representing the company’s commitment to empower women to create an equal world for all. P&G believes that gender equality is a journey, not a destination, and works relentlessly to ensure that it is part of its corporate culture. This focus extends to its female customers who are at the heart of its brands and products around the world.
Indeed, Filipinas are modern-day heroines who can contribute to and excel in any field, especially if they are equipped and allowed to get past traditional stereotypes in order to live up to their capabilities. With Ariel #AhonPinay, more Filipinas can become a step closer to achieving their dreams and creating a more progressive community.
To learn more, visit Ariel’s website, Facebook, and Youtube page.
#AhonPinay #WeSeeEqual #ArielPhilippines #JuanWash
