On March 8, 2019, we once again celebrate International Women’s Day. It's a day that acknowledges the achievements of women and resolutely challenges gender bias. We can say that women have really come a long way but there is definitely a lot more to be achieved. The theme of this year’s campaign is #BalanceforBetter, which aims to drive gender balance across the world. So what can we do to help make a difference?
One of the issues facing the global fashion industry today is how to further empower women through fashion. Being a very big industry, it has the capacity to be able to influence women and positively impact their lives by showing how to develop self-confidence and belief in self, through shows, articles and features that are geared to self-empowerment. Ask any woman and for sure, you will hear about how she loves fashion or how she follows fashion icons or style setters and gets inspired by their lifestyle and their innate style. And who doesn’t get excited over Fashion Week in different fashion capitals, with the elaborate stage set ups and beautiful creations?
First step is not in trying to change the world and environment to support women, but rather, in supporting women so they can be catalysts for change. The key to empowering women is through education. By being able to earn a degree, women are then able to learn life skills that they can use in the future. They will be able to reach their potential and get better jobs. This will be one step in overcoming gender inequality and bias.
In the Philippines, the country was ranked the highest in Asia at eighth in the World Economic Forum’s latest gender equality rating, due to improvements in economic factors with increased wage equality and women’s income. It likewise ranked high in terms of women’s education and political empowerment. Compared to neighboring Asian countries who remained far below the global average, it is definitely something that we can be proud of and celebrate, as well as something we should strive to improve.
At Rich Earth Jewelry, we strive to encourage and inspire a lifestyle dedicated to creating positive change through our designs. In the next few months, we will be launching “#DesignedForYourStory, an inspiring campaign that features customers and supporters of the brand, with the objective of highlighting the intrinsic nature of women that makes them equally distinct, but in some ways, somehow, alike and relatable. Every other month, we will feature one woman who is uniquely incredible.
Here's to us, ladies. Cheers!