As the effects of climate change are felt throughout the globe, women from all over the world are recognized as powerful leaders and change makers who effectively manage disaster risks and strengthen the resilience of their communities.
The World Risk Index has consistently ranked the Philippines among the top 10 most disaster and extreme weather events (2nd in 2014, 3rd from 2015-2018, and 9th in 2019-2020 respectively) affected countries. The country remains vulnerable to extreme weather events triggered by climate change despite the increased awareness on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management and improved ranking.
In last year’s ARISE-Philippines Women’s Leaders in Building Disaster Resilience, Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Vice President for Corporate Compliance Group for SM Supermalls and Program Director for SM Environment and Sustainability, shares that women have to be more proactive than reactive.
“We need to stand up for ourselves and do our share in making our voices heard. “
Engr. Liza B. Silerio, VP for Corp. Compliance Group for SM Supermalls and
Program Director for SM Environment and Sustainability
“We need to stand up for ourselves and do our share in making our voices heard. More women and women leaders in disaster preparations can improve the reach and effectiveness of the interventions,” she says. With over 20 years of experience in Mall Operations, she is a registered Civil Engineer, and Board Member of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) led Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies (ARISE).
This year, in line with the observance of the 2022 National Women’s Month, an online event will be held on March 30, 2022, 2:00pm – 3:30pm, via Zoom, with the theme “Women’s Role in Making Communities Resilient.” The online forum is one of the first events in the “Empowered Women Series” undertaken by SM Supermalls, in partnership with SM Cares, Women’s International Network for Disaster Risk Reduction (WIN DRR), UN Women and ARISE-Philippines.
The event aims to highlight women’s roles and responsibilities as well as their influence in managing disaster risks by ensuring that concrete course of actions is implemented effectively and efficiently through various disaster risk reduction and resilience programs and projects. It will also serve as a venue on knowledge sharing on how women can overcome adversities with decisiveness and good strategies.
SM lays the foundations for this new breed of resilient women leaders. In SM, women leaders shine throughout the organization. Women make more than half of the population, with 58% in senior management and more than 60% in the middle, junior, as well as the rank and file positions. Women and the diversity within the company, are recognized for the impact that they bring at work, shaping today’s people-focused culture with the unique balance of decisiveness and empathetic leadership.
The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, (IWD 2022): “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow” creates awareness on how gender inequality and the solutions for global warming are interconnected. When we take great leaps in policies, technology, and education programs, we can achieve a more sustainable Earth in 2050.
