How Do You Empower Yourselves this Women’s Month?

Whenever March comes, we think of women’s month. It’s a month-long celebration that aims to empower women from all over the world (or universe). Personally, this marks a very special month that’s so close to my heart. Without further ado, here’s my March.

But before anything else, this post will share about three (3) different instances that makes my March very special. So bear with me if things get mushy and all. For now, enjoy!!

Celebrating Women’s Month with Avon PH’s promise to end gender-based violence

First, I didn’t know that Avon Philippines promised this for a while now. I know that they help different people throughout the country by giving them different opportunities to live. When I got a package sharing that they renewed their promise to end gender-based violence, I felt grateful. For once, a brand stands up for that kind of violence and encourages everyone to help support their cause.

Just observe these numbers:

• 1 out of 4 married Filipinas have experienced abuse from their partners.
• 3 in 5 Filipinas have been sexually harassed in their lifetime.
• Online harassment victimized mostly women aged 15 to 35. 

These numbers are very alarming. As Avon’s campaign coincides with Women’ Month, they renew their Promise to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls. It forms part of the company’s recently launched global plan Stand4Her. The campaign aims to improve the lives of 100 million women by advancing their earning potential, freedom of expression, and ability to live a safe and healthy life.

What makes me happy about this campaign is that even celebrity families come forward to share their stories about harassment, catcalling and, abusive relationships. As Ruffa Gutierrez and her daughters Lorin and Venice Gutierrez serve as celebrity ambassadors for the campaign, they encourage everyone to join the crusade against violence. They bring with them their own stories in the hopes of empowering other who endure the trauma of abuse.

Fly, my love

As part of the Promise to Help End Violence Against Women and Girls, Avon has also created the limited edition Free as a Butterfly jewelry set to help fund partner NGOs that empower abused victims and survivors through support, guidance, and inspiration with proceeds of the collection sales.

 Every woman free from the shackles that hinder her from doing her best, flies freely as a butterfly. She endured metamorphosis that made her stronger, wiser, and better!

M

Available starting March through an Avon representative or online at http://www.avonshop.ph for P299. This purchase for a purpose gives P50 from each sale to the programs of partner organizations, which positively impact the lives of hundreds of Filipino women.

If you’re experiencing abuse or suspect someone who is, contact any of Avon Philippines’ partner NGOs:

• Luna Legal Resource Center for Women and Children in Davao at (082) 306-5761
• Gender Watch Against Violence and Exploitation (GWAVE) in Dumaguete at (035) 422-8405 or 0915 259 3029
• Women’s Care Center, Inc. (WCCI) in Manila at (02) 514-4104 or 0999 577 963,
• Ing Makababaying Aksyon (IMA) in Pampanga at (045) 323-4750. 

Disclaimer: They gifted me with the jewelry however opinions are mine. Thank you, Gjenisa and Avon PH!

EMBRACE: A Photography Exhibition

Earlier this March, I got an email from a Benildean inviting me to become one of their media partner for their exhibit. Of course, I couldn’t say no as their focus is something close to my heart as well as my alma mater. Now, this exhibit shares a self-image journey through photography by Arts Management students from De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde. They produced and curated the exhibit under the supervision of Mr. Armando “Tuxqs” Rutaquio Jr.

The exhibit mainly focuses on self-image, self-empowerment, and self-esteem which is something that I really support.

What EMBRACE is all about?

EMBRACE seeks to be a reminder of empathy towards oneself and others. It aims to portray a person’s uniqueness through photographs. The exhibit focuses on embracing differences and accepting who you are without any doubt. It’s narrated through first and third person point of view that revolved around the major theme of self-image.

EMBRACE consists of three (3) chapters:

• Context
• Response
• Reflection

These identify with the relationship of mind and body; a powerful connection that people seldom recognize.

EMBRACE and a series of talks

The exhibit shares a series of free talks that aims to encourage more conversations about the themes presented in the exhibit. It takes place at the 12F Cinema of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde’s School of Design and Arts campus.

Self-care with Dr. Lia Bernardo​: March 29, 2019 (1:00pm – 2:30pm)

Dr. Lia Bernardo specializes in psychoneurology and is also a personal development training and behavior specialist. In her talk she will tackle the: importance of self-care, its relationship with mental wellness, and how we can practice self-care in our everyday lives.

Self-love with Danah and Stacy Guiterrez​: March 29, 2019 (3:00pm – 4:30pm)

Danah and Stacy Gutierrez, are body positive advocates and founders of PLUMP.ph an online magazine about plus size fashion and living a body positive lifestyle.

Their talk will focus on self-love covering topics about

• developing self-love
• their own struggles with self-love
• advice on body positivity and,
• the creation of PLUMP.ph  

​Self-respect with Abraham Guardian: April 3, 2019 (3:00pm – 4:30pm)

Abraham Guardian is a Fashion Design and Merchandising student at DLS-CSB and co-founder of the independent local brand Ha.Mu. The brand is all about individuality, uniqueness, and feeling confident and good in what you are wearing.
His talk on self-respect will focus on his experiences in Benilde with self-expression, the fashion community, and how he stays true to himself along the way.   

Through photography, life’s fleeting moments become more permanent. It captures the simplest of things that makes life worthwhile.

EMBRACE seeks to be a reminder of the progressive journey of self-love; it is through this where we accept all people and ultimately ourselves.   

For updates:

Please like the Facebook page or you may contact 09771161394 or 09175820072.

Empowering myself

Lastly, March always gives me the impression that I need to become someone else. However, I seem to forget to just be myself and continue with my life. Forget pleasing everyone because we all know we just can’t. Just focus on becoming a better person every single day. Teach myself that you commit mistakes and should learn from them no matter what.

Everything I mentioned here are close to my heart. I’m vocal about self-love and sharing about self-care to the world. Honestly, I hope that you get to support and respect all the people around you without any condition.

If someone tells you that you’re ugly or fat, just wish them well. Don’t answer them. It will just give you wrinkles or any kind of stress. Remember to just throw them good vibes and whisper to the universe whatever you feel at the moment. Let the universe give them something to ponder on.

So, what are you waiting for? Start practicing self-love and self-care as you empower yourself this women’s month. By the way, anyone can share something about March. Personally, March is super special as it’s the month that we celebrate our anniversary! However, that’s another story to tell! Maybe on another blog post!

I hope you picked up something fruitful with this blog post of mine.