A senator on Thursday emphasized the significance of empowering women by encouraging them to engage in micro, small, medium enterprises (MSMEs) and to boost the implementation of Republic Act (RA) No. 9501 or the Magna Carta for MSMEs.

Senator Loren Legarda made the statement during the UN Women Country Programme Priorities Sharing and Presentation at the Westin Manila Hotel in Mandaluyong City with Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Hae Kyong “HK” Yu.

“The economic aspect of women is very important because no matter how much we fight for rights in our home or society, if you are not given both the education and sustainable income, women cannot be helped. So, the Magna Carta for MSME is so important,” Legarda said.

She said laws like RA 9501 should be funded and implemented effectively and efficiently.

“I wrote the MSME Law in my second term in 2007 but I felt that I have to reach out more to women to ensure that our laws are not just funded but actually implemented and I will not stop until I see a positive impact on the sustainable income of our women,” she said.

The law aims to promote, support, strengthen and encourage the growth and development of MSMEs in all productive sectors of the economy, particularly rural/agri-based enterprises.

“Women in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) are perhaps really very close among the closest to my heart because 99 percent of our MSMEs are women. And so, to say that we need to help women, perhaps the provision of needs, requirements, equipment, capital para sa maliliit na negosyo (for small businesses),” Legarda said.

During the event, Legarda discussed equality, women empowerment, leadership, and their rights with Yu, journalist Karen Davila, and various women’s organizations. (PNA)