PEARL2 and Isis International Manila have teamed up to produce awareness materials and promote a consciousness of gender fairness among a selected group of small and medium-scale business in the Philippines.
This project seeks to work with three Business Support Organisations (BSOs): the Cebu Gifts Toys and Housewares Association (Cebu GTH), the Philippine Chamber of Handicraft Industries (PCHI), and the Medical Transcription Industry, in collaboration with the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP).
II RATIONALE OF THE PROJECT
The BSOs serving their industries are seen as major players in bridging development goals and private sector interests. Social entrepreneurship goals seek to introduce change to society while applying entrepreneurial approaches in the change process. We see a critical role for BSOs to become transformative leaders of social entrepreneurship in their specific industry sectors, specially on the issue of gender fair business practice. For a wholistic approach to social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility, gender fair business practice is key area and proves to have multiple benefits for business.
This project unpacks what is meant by gender-fair business practice in the context of small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Currently, Philippine corporations are required to follow national and international gender-fair regulations at the minimum. Gender-fair labour practices are also promoted among Philippine businesses as a matter of moral obligation. However, this project seeks to develop a third approach to promoting gender-fair business practice. With the changing times and increasing critical awareness of societies, addressing gender fair business practice can improve business results.
III GENERAL OBJECTIVE
The goal of the PEARL2 Project’s Initiative, “A Business Case for Gender-Fair Practices” is to promote a deeper awareness, understanding, interest and adoption among the SMEs of target BSOs and the PBSP-BAPs about gender-fair business practice and its implication to production and business enhancement.
We refer to gender fair business practice specifically in these five areas:
- Equal pay for work of equal value regardless of gender
- Gender specific occupational safety and health
- Job security and gender specific benefits
- Gender fair educational opportunities and life long learning (including the use of ICTs)
- Balancing work and family life
Find out more about PEARL2 at http://www.pearl2.net
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Isis Resource Center holds one of the largest feminist collections of materials in the Global South. With 40 years of publication experience, Isis holds a vast collection.