Jenny Escudero has a cleft lip. She used to feel shame whenever she left her home in Isabela City on Basilan Island in the Philippines. The lack of accessible infrastructure in the city only added to her feelings of social isolation and discrimination.
It wasn’t until she received training from organizations including the Isabela City local government when things began to change. Together with her association, the Hapisabela Women Dressmakers Association, she built a successful dress and bagmaking business.
And with The Asia Foundation’s support, the association is now a registered enterprise able to fulfill bulk orders. In fact, Escudero proudly shared that her organization produced the event kits for a recent learning exchange event in Davao City, Philippines, on February 18 and 19.
“Despite my disability, I was able to do it. Disability is not a barrier to success,” she said at the event.
The Asia Foundation and Oxfam—in partnership with the Bangsamoro Women Commission and the Australian Government—organized the learning exchange focused on enhancing women’s economic empowerment in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM.
Dozens of participants pose to commemorate the event
Dozens of participants pose to commemorate the event
As the BARMM continues to emerge and recover from decades of conflict, government and civil society leaders are working to enhance the representation and inclusion of women’s groups in social, civil, political, and economic spheres. Establishing partnerships and fostering networking among local actors is vital for advancing women’s economic empowerment.
The Asia Foundation, through the Accelerate Bangsamoro project—implemented in partnership with the Australian Government—is supporting women entrepreneurs from marginalized groups in BARMM, including women with disabilities like Ms. Escudero, and helping enhance their entrepreneurship skills and knowledge and supporting enabling spaces for them to fully participate and succeed as entrepreneurs.
At the event, participants from women’s enterprise groups, civil society, government, and the private sector discussed key challenges such as access to finance, business growth, and the regulatory environment.
“There are ongoing challenges for women in growing their businesses,” said Sam Chittick, TAF country representative in the Philippines. “This exchange helps identify and address these barriers.”
Women entrepreneurs also discussed the role of Islamic finance and support from both the government and private sector in scaling their businesses.
“In the Bangsamoro, financial autonomy is instrumental to peace—and empowering women economically is the key to achieving it,” said Attorney Sittie Amirah Pendatun, director of the Bangsamoro Finance Office under the Ministry of Finance, Budget, and Management.
Participants shared success stories. For example, representatives of the Maguindanao del Sur-based company Sigay Nu Babay Inc., a women-led enterprise focused on food processing and handicrafts, discussed how the business secured halal certification with help from civil society and the Philippine and Australian governments.
“Now, we no longer have to wait for ayuda or aid—we can earn money and uplift our ourselves,” said Guiamelan Sayutin of Sigay Nu Babay, Inc.
The event also highlighted the need for stronger legal protections for vulnerable groups—particularly for women with disabilities—to ensure equal opportunities in business and employment.
Following the learning event, participants agreed to sustain efforts toward learning and collaboration on women’s economic empowerment—enabling women entrepreneurs, civil society, and government partners to connect, share resources, and explore opportunities to further advance women’s economic participation in the region.
In line with this, Oxfam is developing a public platform designed as a digital space for knowledge-sharing, networking, and advocacy focused on women’s economic empowerment.
Muslima Guaipal is a member of the League of Moro Women Inc., an organization of former women combatants who are now leaders and members of women cooperatives, ensuring that women have sustainable livelihood opportunities and are not left behind in postconflict economic recovery.
She said the learning event demonstrated the importance of networking. She said finding networks and allies is key to the survival and growth of women and their businesses.
“If we didn’t have networks, we wouldn’t be here today,” she said. “Our partners helped us build our businesses, train our members, and gain market access.”
Bangsamoro, Philippines
Economic Growth, Increasing Women's Economic Opportunities, Women's Empowerment
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