The Economic Implications of the Woman at Work

With a focus on small-medium enterprising in the Philippines

Santos, Mia Patricia P.
Uy, Jansen Arthur L.
Overview - International Monetary Fund:
Opportunity Costs from Gender Inequality
Significant macroeconomic gains if women are able to develop their
full labor market potential

Aguirre et. al (2012)

865 million women worldwide
have the potential to contribute
more to their economies
812 million live in emerging and
developing nations

Cuberes and Teignier (2012)

GDP per capita losses due to
gender gaps: estimated at up to
27% in certain regions
Better opportunities for women = broader contribution to economic
development

Heintz (2006)
Womens work may be the single
most important poverty-reducing
factor in developing economies
Stotsky (2006)
Womens lack of opportunities in
developing countries hinders
economic growth
Economic growth leads to
improvements in their conditions
The Filipina at Work
 Small and Medium Enterprises Sector

engine of economic growth employment creation

poverty eradication economic stability

technology and innovation

research and development

challenging and stagnant growth

infrastructure problems
financial instability
limited productivity
inefficiency gender discriminatory
More than infrastructure and credit, a complex set of societal
and cultural factors also affect women-owned enterprises.
(Bang et al., 1999)
 Women entrepreneurs and managers are
hindered to obtain robust business outcomes
due to cultural and societal discrimination that prevents them
from being effective profit-maximizers in a competitive
business environment.
 Women are perceived as weak
and have the tendency to be preoccupied with emotional
burden.
Interlinked perceptions on business and family
stereotypes women as someone made for the household.
 Women entrepreneurs are seen to be less
competent compared to their male counterparts
as a result of discrimination in educational opportunities in all
levels of schooling.
 Policy Recommendations
The state should take aggressive steps in order to
support women to reach their full potential in society.
 Republic Act No. 7882
An Act Providing Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business
Enterprises, and for Other Purposes

Sec. 3. Women With Existing Micro and Cottage Business. Any woman who, at the
time of the effectivity of this Act shall have been engaged for at least one (1) year in
any micro and cottage business, with a daily inventory of goods worth not more
than Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000) or with any business equipment with a
book value of not more than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000) shall have priority to
obtain a loan not exceeding the value of her business equipment at prime interest rate
or at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum, whichever is lower from any
government financing institution: Provided, That only women with good track record
in sales shall be eligible to obtain such loan.
 Republic Act No. 7882
An Act Providing Assistance to Women Engaging in Micro and Cottage Business
Enterprises, and for Other Purposes

Sec. 4. Business Learner. Any woman who shall have been certified, after
appropriate training by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority
(TESDA), or any government or government-accredited training institution as
eligible to operate a micro and cottage business with a maximum capitalization of
Twenty-five thousand pesos (P25,000) shall likewise be eligible in obtaining a loan
under the same conditions as provided in the preceding Section: Provided, That no
loan for the operation of a retail store shall be granted: Provided, further, That the
loan shall be limited to the purchase of the basic equipment, tools and materials:
Provided, furthermore, That such basic equipment and tools shall be subject to
chattel mortgage in favor of the government financing institution concerned.
 Republic Act No. 6792
Barangay-level Total Development and Protection of Children Act.

Section 3. Program Framework. The total development and protection of children program for day care centers
shall be provided for children up to six (6) years of age with the consent of parents: provided, however, that, in case
of abused, neglected or exploited children, such consent shall not be required.

Section 6. Funds for the Center, the Program and Day Care Workers.
(c) Barangay day care workers in accredited day care centers shall receive a monthly allowance of not less than
Five hundred pesos (P500.00) to be charged to the annual appropriations of the Department of Social Welfare and
Development.

Section 5. Functions of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Department shall:
(a) Formulate the criteria for the selection, qualifications, and training accreditation of barangay day care workers
and the standards for the implementation of the total development and protection of children program;
 Conditional Cash Transfer for Microenterprises
Seen as very effective policies in Mexico and Sri Lanka, however were not conditional

Cash Transfers were given proportionate to business profits

Returns varied from 28% to more than 60% a month

Significantly impacts business survivability