Insular Life launches movement for Filipina Empowerment
Insular Life officially unveiled a movement it created for the empowerment of Filipino women during a formal launching held at its Makati Building recently. Called “InLife Sheroes”, this movement was created through the partnership with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. “InLife Sheroes aims to empower one million Filipinas within the next three years so that they can be trained in financial management and personal health and wellness, and be connected to like-minded women for business and social networking,” said InLife Executive Chairman Nina D. Aguas. She added: “The purpose is to unify women from diverse fields, with the support of men, to greater participation in wealth creation, control over their resources and financial well-being, and live healthier and wealthier lives.” “I am more than delighted to learn that InLife has undertaken a project that is the first of its kind in the insurance industry. I have nothing but commendation for Insular Life and high hopes for the InLife Sheroes program. This kind of initiative from the insurance industry is what the country needs to be one step closer in achieving true financial inclusivity," said Insurance Commissioner Dennis B. Funa, represented by Deputy Commissioner Ferdinand George Florendo. There is a big gap in insurance needs for Filipino women of about P217 billion, according to a research by IFC. “Although access to finance for (Filipino) women has increased, they remain vulnerable to any financial, social, physical or natural shocks, thus increasing their risks of going back into poverty,” said Ms. Henriette Kolb, Manager of IFC’s Gender Secretariat, and keynote speaker at the event. Ms. Kolb explained that the women sector is an essential market because they represent 40 percent of the Filipino workforce and over 70 percent of secondary school graduates. “Our ambition is to be the preferred life insurer of the Filipina. But before our business goals, we aim to empower them first. We want our kababayans, our Filipinas, to succeed and we will help them get there through InLife Sheroes,” said Ms. Aguas. InLife Sheroes will empower women through these four focus areas: financial education and risk management, health and wellness, women specific solutions, and access to business and social networks. And these will be delivered through face-to-face financial literacy forums and workshops designed to address the lifestage of the participants. Other on-ground events and online training modules will be available to all who are interested. More articles, life tips, career enrichment opportunities, and inspiring stories from successful women, who will serve as mentors, will add to the knowledge, tools and business connections from partners to help women upscale their capabilities to be truly empowered. To learn more, please visit www.inlifesheroes.com.