1

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT THROUGH VINCENTIAN CORPORATE SOCIAL

RESPONSIBILITY (VCSR) PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS:
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
Eden U. Alberto, MBA, LlB, MPA
Maridel O. Casas, MAED
Carl Mark B. Miniano, Ph.D, F.B.E.
College of Business Administration, Adamson University
Management Marketing Department
http://www.adamson.edu.ph
A b st ra ct --

Th i s s tu d y d eterm in ed th e ex per ien c es a n d s el f- p erc eiv ed

l ev el of em p ower men t of th e wom en mem b ers of t he V C SR
P rog ra m s . Th e c orrel a ti on s b etwee n th e l ev el o f em pow erm en t to
th ei r p rof il e a n d e xp eri en ce s w ere a ls o d et erm in ed t hr ou gh
s ta tis ti ca l a n a ly s is su p p orted by q ua li ta tiv e in ter v iew s. Th e
fi n d in g s of t he s tu d y w ere th en u s ed in th e d e v elop m en t of
en h an cem en ts f or t he VC SR P ro gra ms p arti cu l arl y foc u si n g on th e
i d en ti fi ed p ro bl ems an d p ros p ect s.

I.

INTRODUCTION
People living in poverty struggle daily for basic necessities-- this

struggle is exacerbated for women; particularly women with children. Women

have primary responsibility raising and caring for their children. Cultural and
gender issues increase hardships and complexities for women raising children.
Poverty can be a cyclical routine for generations.

When a familys education

and health opportunities are not realized, generations of women can be forced
to stay at home and often have an inability to leave home to make even a small
income or make changes that directly impact their own lives.
Not unfamiliar to the slums and other poor communities is the married,
single or widowed woman with children and an inability to work because of
their childcare responsibilities. When women make money by working in their
homes or sporadically completing work for others, they often do not have the
knowledge
or opportunity to save.

Some families take loans to keep their children in

school, these loans often accumulate interest at an exorbitant rate.

This may

k e e p c h i l d r e n i n s c h o o l f o r a l i m i t e d t i m e b u t b r i n g s a g r e a te r d e b t a n d
hopelessness in the familial situation.

2
History shows how structure has been built upon male privilege-- where
violence and subjugation are often accepted by women and men in households
and communities. Women are made to do unrewarding work with low pay, or
none, and always care for the household (Vonderlack, 2002).
Given this scenarios, women empowerment is thus seen as a vehicle to
acquire

power

individually

and

collectively.

Among

individuals

or

community, it designates first and foremost the ability to act independently,

but also the means needed and the process of being able to act and make ones
own decision regarding life and society (Commission on women development,
2007).
II. METHODOLOGY
The study utilized the descriptive type of research using quantitative
and qualitative approaches. The quantitative portion of the study was engaged
on the description on the respondents experiences with VCSR program such as
values

formation,

saving

mobilization,

capacity

building,

community

development and the co-researchers self-perceived level of empowerment with

respect to decision making autonomy, mobility and networking, economic
independency and exercise of rights while the qualitative method, used
u n s t r u c t u r e d i n t e r v i e w s t h a t d e a l t o n h o w th e V C S R p r o g r a m s c o n t r i b u t e d t o
the empowerment of women members, focused group discussions and follow up
questions were also made to clarify matters that were reflected in the survey
responses.

III.

RESULTS

Table 28
Summary Correlation Matrix of Respondents Profile Variables and the
Respondents Self-perceived Level of Empowerment
Profile
Age

Occupation

Empowerment
1. Decision making
2. Mobility and
networking
3. Economic
independency
4. Exercise of rights
1. Decision making
2. Mobility and
networking
3. Economic

R
.122
.120

Sig
.562
.566

Interpretation
Not Significant
Not Significant

.160

.444

Not Significant

.053
-.364
-.164

.801
.074
.434

Not Significant
Not Significant
Not Significant

-.224

.282

Not Significant

3
independency
4. Exercise of rights
Educational
1. Decision making
Background
2. Mobility and
networking
3. Economic
independency
4. Exercise of rights
Region of
1. Decision making
Origin
2. Mobility and
networking
3. Economic
independency
4. Exercise of rights
*significant at .05; ** significant at .01

.218
.307
-.007

.294
.135
.974

Not Significant
Not Significant
Not Significant

.025

.907

Not Significant

-.110
-.017
-.215

.600
.937
.031

Not Significant
Not Significant
Significant

.214

.305

Not Significant

.065

.757

Not Significant

SUMMARY OF THEMES: VCSR PROGRAMS CONTRIBUTION

TO WOMEN EMPOWERMENT
Themes
Financial
Assistance for
childrens
educational
needs

Experiences
Umunlad naman pakonti-konti, hindi
katulad nuon na talagang hirap na
hirap kami.
(Our lives improved gradually it was
very difficult before.)
Nakapag-aral pa rin ang mga anak
namin.
Yun dalawa nasa elementary
tapos yung isa nasa high school na.
(Our children are able to study. Two of
them are in elementary while one of
them is in high school.)
Nakapag-aral yung mga anak ko gamit
ang
scholarship
na
binigay
ng
Adamson. Maswerte nga kami dahil sa
scholarhip nay an eh nakakapagtapos
sila.
Importante
talaga
and
edukasyon.
(My children are able to stud through
the help of the scholarship that
Adamson granted.
We are lucky
because my children will be able to
finish their education through this
scholarship.
Education
is
really
important.)
Ang perang nakukuha naming ay para
sa pang araw-araw na pagkain at
pangangailangan sa eskwela n gaming
anak at savings naming sa VCSR.
(The money that we are is intended for
the daily food and educational needs of
my children. Part of it is also for our
savings in VCSR.)

Co-Researchers

Financial
Assistance for
Familys Daily
Needs

Financial
Assistance for
Increased
Business Capital

Financial
Assistance for
Payments of
Debts

Increased Selfconfidence

Increased Human

Ang savings naming lingo-lingo ay

nakalaan
para
sa
ano
mang
pangangailagan pagdating ng araw na
bigayan ng dibidendo.
(Our weekly savings are intended for
whatever needs that they may arise at
the date of the dividend distribution.)
Ang perang nakukuha naming ay para
sa pang araw-araw na pagkain at
pangangailangan sa eskwela n gaming
mga anak at sa savings naming sa
VCSR.
(The money that we earn is intended
for the daily food and educational
needs of my children. Part of it is also
for our savings in VCSR.)
Matugunan ang ano mang pangangailangan namin sa buhay.
Minsan
ginagamit naming ung pra sa mga
bagay
na
di
namin
inaasahang
gastusin.
(To fulfil whatever needs that may
arise. Sometimes, we use the money for
those unexpected needs.)
Pandagag naming yan sa puhunan.
Yung iba samin ginagamit para sa mga
sari-sari store o kaya kung ano man
yung pinagkakakitaan nila.
(We use it to increase our capital.
Some of us make use of it for their sarisari stores or for whatever business
that they have.)
Malaking tulong yung savings and
mobilization program. Yung nakukuha
naming dividend nagagamit din naming
yan para pambaya sa utang.
(The savings and mobilization program
is a huge help. The dividends that we
get are used for payment of debts.)
Dahil sa VCSR nagkaroon ako ng
tiwala sa sarili ko. Yung mga tinuturo
nila samin talagang nakatulong para di
nako maging masyadong mahiyain.
Dati sobrang tahimik ko eh di ako
masyadong palakausap dahil nahihiya
ngayon hindi na.
(Through VCSR I started to have selfconfidence, because of what they taught
us, I am not shy anymore. I am very
and
do
not
engage
in
much
conversation before because of shyness.
But now, I am able to overcome such.)
Mas
maayos
na
ngayon
yung

5
Relations

Improved
Participation in
Family Decisions

IV.

pakikitungo ko sa mga kasama ko ditto

sa block.
Mas maganda na yung
relasyon naming sa isat-isa. Tuwing
may
programa
sabay-sabya
kami
nagpupunta ngayon.
(I have improved relationship with the
other members of our Block. We have
better relationship with each other.
Every time there are programs, we go
there together.)
Mas nagging maayos ang relasyn
naming mag-asawa. Dati puro away
kami dahil nga walang pera, walang
trabaho, madalas di kami magkaintindihan pero dahil sa mga naturo
samin ng VCSR di na yun masyado.
(My relationship with my husband
improved. We used to fight frequently
due to lack of money and job issues.
We used to have arguments but because
of the VCSR taught us, such do not
happen a lot anymore.
Sa tutoo lang madami akong natutunan
sa mga tinuturo nila. Isa na siguro dito
yung dahil sa mga natutunan ko eh
nakakapagdesisyon na ko para sa
pamilya. Di na yung tango nalang ako
ng tango sa asawa ko. May alam na ako
kaya mas nakakapagsalita na ko
tungkols sa mga dapat mangyari sa
pamilya naming.
(Actually, I really learned a lot with
what they taught us. One of these is
my improved decision making capacity
for may family. I do not just agree now
with what my husband wants. I know
more which enables me to show my
perspective on family matters.)

DISCUSSION
Decision Making Autonomy.

The decision making autonomy did not

show values that will conclude a relationship with age profile, hence there is
no relationship between decision making autonomy and that of the age profile
of the women participants.

The age of women can however be a determining

factor that may affect her status in the family, such that an older women can
make decisions for the family, this can happen when the younger generation of
husband and wife lives with their biological or mother in law. The same is true
when the married woman is older than her husband, as observed in the

6
community, a wife older than her husband make major decisions for their
family.
The occupation profile have significant relationship with enhance
womens ability

control or share over decision processes regarding domestic

financial matters and decrease women economic subordination or dependency

towards

husband

hence,

womens

participation

increases womens decision making autonomy.

in

the

paid

labor

force

Women who worked hard had

more personal autonomy and control over their lives.

Out of the five indicators pertaining to decision making autonomy only
indicator four enhance womens ability to make household decisions, such as
child education, or major purchases demonstrates a relationship
decision

making

participants.

autonomy

and

educational

background

of

between

the

women

It demonstrates the powerful role of womens education in

making household decisions and child education.

Educational background is

without doubt the most fundamental pre-requisite for empowering women in

all sphere of society.

Also, education is a significant factor for acquiring new

values and empowerment in decision making whether household or major

economic decisions.
The

decision

making

factors

that

have

been

computed

correlation with the region of origin of the women participants.

have

no

Thus, the

place of origin is not related to the decision making autonomy of an individual,

in this case the women participants. Womens decision making autonomy vary
from one factor to another.

The depth of women empowerment in decision

making autonomy can be based on her participation in economic decision

making, say on household purchases and judgment on how to spend money.
Also it enhances womens ability to participate and carry out decisions on
family affairs with coordination with other family members, such the husband
and in case of extended family, the in-laws.
Mobility and Networking.

Mobility and networking factors that have

been computed have no correlation with the age profile of the women
participants

hence

age

profile

networking of the respondents.

has

no

relationship

with

mobility

and

On actual observation, low income mothers,

women young and old residing in the subject community have social networks
that are localized in nature, the composition of which are also disadvantage,
hence, there is limited avenue and opportunity for social networks and
interactions which could somehow help the women to improved mobility and

7
social networks.

However, researchers conclude that the creation of social

support largely composed of familial, neighborhood, and friendship has several

advantages,

as

observed,

living

and

being

with

another

woman

in

the

community specifically the old one can lead to pooling of resources which can
help augment basic everyday needs and receive emotional support.
Mobility and networking indicators are not significantly related to the
occupation profile of the co-researcher. Given that people respond to
incentives, the significance of perceive mobility and networking are essential to
ones development. Individuals, in this case women will be motivated to work
hard if they believe that they have better opportunities or they have an
opportunity to advance and attain improvement and be empowered, absence
such motivational perception there are no chances for the individuals to move
forward, be mobile and even network with other individuals. In a study it was
revealed that as women entered the labor market, they become part of networks
and organizations where they are more likely to be exposed to political
discussions and advocacy, which in turn encourages interest and involvement
in politics.
On educational background profile and mobility networking, of all the
identified indicators only acquire vocational training, skill-enhancement and
access to financial services registers a correlation, it strengthen the idea that
people with more education, on the average have higher intellectual skills and
confidence to deal with other people, hence they are more empower as
compared to those with no educational background at all.
All the mobility and networking factors that have been computed have
no correlation with the region of origin of the co-researchers. The promotion of
womens mobility and network is necessary to make them capable of making
their own choices, to change their attitudes, to improve their social networks
and to reduce their level of poverty.

The lack of womens physical mobility

deprives them of getting better livelihood opportunities.

Economic Independency. The economic independency factors identified
revealed to have no relationship with age profile, hence age is no bar.

The

young and old can make and attain economic independency as long as there are
opportunities available to the women and in the community as well.
The economic independency indicators have no relationship with the
occupation profile of the women participants. This suggests that economic
independency is not the only factor which affects womens economic status.

8
Although occupation can be directly attributed to their ability to make
household decisions and women are economic players who can contribute to
economic activity, there is a need for shared undertakings from family and
community as well as public, private, and non-profit sectors to recognize
womens contribution to the society.

Womens independence by and large

depends on their economic independence, which is determined by whether they

have paid employment.

A few studies have argued that, apart from letting

women have more independence, increasing levels of female employment tend

to result in women having great influence on family decisions.
Education

has

significant

factor

for

acquiring

new

values

and

empowerment in whether economic or household decision making process.

There is no correlation between the region of origin and economic
independency factors identified.

Within the household of family unit, the

relative value of a womans economic contribution is used much less often than
the simple fact that she brings in an income or has control over resources.

women participant revealed that the fact that she can use her own money and
make choices for herself and her children empowered her, although she
complained that life in the community is difficult and often felt beleaguered by
pressure that are not existing in her own province.
Exercise of Rights. There is no relationship between coresearchers age
profile and exercise rights factors researchers conclude that women do not
always share common interest, exercise of rights have different implications for
the poor and the affluent, for the young and the old, these differences therefore
may prevent cooperative collective efforts to gain and exercise rights due to
them, hence cooperative effort among women of classes and age need to be
encouraged.
Out of the five indicators identified on the factor exercise of rights, only
indicator provide avenue for womens participation in political or civic
organization registers a relationship with the occupation profile of the coresearchers the remaining factors when computed have no relationship at all.
Thus, occupation helps advance womens right to participate in power, civic
and civil rights. Further, this suggests that women participation increases the
status of women, which influences women effectiveness in garnering power in
the other realms of society including politics.
All the exercise of rights factors that have been computed to have no
correlation with the region of origin of the women empowerment, the need to

9
have access to employment and be a part of the labor market, is an important
indicator of the rights of women in a community and by and large in a society.
However, the exercise of such rights might differ with ones status, level of
education as well as living conditions.

Access for basic needs, food, decent

housing, clothing, even potable water and information can empower women.
V.

CONCLUSSIONS
The experiences of the co-researchers on values formation, savings and

mobilization, capacity building and community development through the VCSR

Programs and Projects have empowered women in independently coming up
with decisions, improvement in their mobility and networking, economic
independency, and awareness of their rights.
This level of empowerment can be increased by focusing on the weak
areas

of

the

VCSR

Programs

particularly

on

the

improvement

of

the

communication of the members duties and responsibilities, clarification of

program

policies,

improvement

in

members

financial

capacity,

and

improvement in the participation of the members. Future VCSR programs can

take advantage of prospects for women empowerment such as increased
awareness and education on poverty alleviation, increase in VCSR volunteers
and increased capacity to accommodate more potential members.
The study proved that the VCSR Programs have empowered its women
members in various facets and can even be strengthened further by focusing on
the programs weak areas and taking advantage of future opportunities.
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