A salute to our women owning sari-sari stores
THROUGHOUT the month of March when the world observed it to honor women in our lives and in our country, much about successful endeavors of women were said and attributed to women’s gender equality and empowerment. Women who distinguished in their chosen fields, particularly in male-dominated sectors were celebrated and honored.
But before we end the observance, one particular study rung close to home. A study conducted by Packworks, in partnership with Fourth Wall, that acknowledged that operations of sari-sari stores in the Philippines have been very much a big factor in the sustaining the development of the local economy. And there’s more.
The study’s revelation that our women dominate the sari-sari store ownership in the Philippines, validated their significant control and contribution to the local economy. Sari IQ, Packworks’ business intelligence tool, confirmed that 75% of the thousands of sari-sari stores analyzed are owned by women. (The report said only 20%, are male-dominated, and 5%, are unknown).
Accordingly, it said the “high percentage of sari-sari store ownership by women shows that Filipinas virtually control much of the local economy.”
The report: “Since about 70% of manufactured goods are transacted in sari-sari stores, women’s domination of sari-sari store ownership puts them in a position to make a difference in the country’s economic life. However, economic sectors must open their doors to women, as women’s labor participation in some industries is still low. Institutions must also empower women by boosting skills training initiatives to ensure they can participate fully in the country’s economic growth.”
It is in this regard, that the CSI Group of Companies should be thanked as well for its efforts to sustain the profitability of sari-sari stores in the province with its annual sales and promotional activities specifically for them.
Indeed, it’s time we acknowledge our women running sari-sari stores as our new heroes as well for their dedication to help earn for their families which in turn greatly support our local economy.
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