The open forum at the Women Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion event—organized by the Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt), the World Bank, and the Australian Embassy—offered a dynamic exchange of insights among panelists and participants. Moderated by Ana Tan, the session brought together Vince Rapisura (SEDPI), Dr. Liliana Sousa (World Bank), and Conrad De Jesus (Investing in Women), with closing reflections from Dr. Roberto Galang, Dean of the John Gokongwei School of Management.
When asked about the two key takeaways from their respective studies, Rapisura emphasized the urgent need for social safety nets tailored for the country’s 8 million nanoenterprises—largely unregistered and vulnerable to external shocks. He also advocated for moving away from credit-heavy interventions, calling instead for indigenous insurance systems and savings programs that are more appropriate for survival-based enterprises.
Dr. Sousa presented a complementary but distinct view, stressing the importance of increasing women’s comfort and access to formal credit. She also celebrated the growing initiative of women investing in digital skills, calling it a trend worth nurturing and supporting through inclusive policies.
De Jesus highlighted the need to understand the broader ecosystem, emphasizing innovation and collaboration among supply- and demand-side actors to improve access to finance for women-owned enterprises.
During the discussion, Dr. Galang raised the question of cultural influence, noting the paradox between the Philippines’ perceived gender progressiveness and the persistence of male-dominated financial decision-making. Dr. Sousa acknowledged the role of intergenerational norms and emphasized that empowerment in one domain does not always translate across sectors.
In response to a question from the audience on tracking women entrepreneurs’ success, Rapisura noted that for SEDPI, success is not simply defined by scale or profit but by resilience and avoidance of deeper poverty. He underscored that digital finance adoption peaked during lockdowns but many women have since returned to cash due to its ease, accessibility, and lack of transaction fees.
As the forum drew to a close, each speaker shared advice for students entering the professional world. Dr. Sousa encouraged women to plan ahead and negotiate within their households as they juggle careers and caregiving. De Jesus invited students to explore careers in impact investing, where they can blend purpose and profit. Rapisura concluded by reminding everyone of the value of cooperation over dominance in achieving gender equity—both at home and in society.
The forum reinforced that while strategies may differ—from grassroots social protection to institutional finance—the shared goal remains clear: creating an inclusive and empowering environment for women entrepreneurs across all levels of the economy.
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