UN envoy vows support for women in business

THE United States will continue to support women entrepreneurs in the Philippines as part of its advocacy to help create an inclusive economy.

During the Women Summit 2023 organized by Go Negosyo in Ayala Mall, Manila Bay last Saturday, March 18, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said that her country is “advocating for an inclusive economy is central to the work we do at the United States Embassy to the Philippines, alongside our Filipino friends, partners and allies.”

“The United States is honored to partner with the Philippines to support women in MSM (micro, small and medium) businesses,” Carlson added.

What makes the country unique is the set of values and discipline of Filipinos when venturing a business, which, according to her, partly explains why women are successful in business. “Your optimism is contagious,” she remarked.

According to the United States Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website, part of its initiatives to support women entrepreneurs is the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE), which gives “enterprising women the knowledge, networks and access they need to launch and scale successful businesses.”

“One way that the United States Embassy supports the Filipino business women is through the Academy for Women Entrepreneur or AWE,” Carlson shared.

“The United States will continue to partner with the Philippines to promote economic inclusion as part of our shared effort to increase prosperity for all Filipinos,” she added.

For her part, Rosemarie Bosch-Ong, the senior executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Philippine Retailers Association, said women entrepreneurs should also believe in their abilities. “As a woman leader in Philippine retail and women’s business, I would like to share with you my advice for all aspiring and existing entrepreneurs: continue to believe in yourself.”