THAT gospel episode about Christ curing a man born blind (cfr. Jn 9,1-41) reminds us that given the truth of our faith that we are supposed to live a spiritual and supernatural life with God, we are prone to have some kind of natural, if not infranatural blindness because we fail to enter into the spiritual and supernatural world, and prefer to remain in the natural level of our life.
Because of that, we miss to see many things that are actually proper for us to know and to live by. Our infranatural blindness is worse than our natural blindness because we can even fail to see the natural things of our life. That’s when we are in the state of sin that obviously would have a big effect on how we see and understand even the natural things.
Remember that in the beginning, in the life of our first parents before they fell into sin, they were in the state of original justice. They could see God and the things of God directly.
But since they fell into sin, they lost that state of original justice. And we, being their descendants, would now be born without that state of original justice. In this sense, we can also be said to be born blind. That’s what original sin is all about.
And to cure this blindness, the only way is to go to Christ who clearly said, “I am the light of the world…whoever follows me will have the life of life.” (Jn 8,12) Obviously, the upshot of this consideration is for us to know and love Christ to such an extent that we become like him as we should. In other words, we become “alter Christus” (another Christ).
As “alter Christus,” we should go to the extent when we can echo St. Paul’s words: “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So, I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Gal 2,20)
With Christ we would have discernment, able to see the things of the heart of men rather than relying simply on appearance or some worldly trends. With Christ, we would be able to make proper judgments, rather than being judgmental.
We therefore should do everything to become more and more like Christ. We need to know him more by studying his life, meditating on the gospel, and following his exYes, we have all the means for us to truly become “alter Christus.” We have the sources of divine revelation that show us the truth about ourselves. We have the word of God. We have the Church and the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist.
We just have to make the necessary adjustments in the way we think, in the way we identify ourselves. It would not be presumptuous, even given our limitations and woundedness, to start thinking that “I am another Christ, ‘alter Christus.’” We just have to try our best, with God’s grace to think and act like Christ.
With Christ we would have the proper understanding of things. We would have a universal outlook, and we can take on anything that can happen to us, whether good or bad, because Christ himself has assumed everything human including to be like sin even if he himself has not committed any sin. “He (God) made him (Christ) to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor 5, 21)
Empowering women entrepreneurs: Catalyzing business and societal growth
Women entrepreneurs are vital contributors to the global economy, driving innovation, creating jobs, and fostering inclusive growth. Supporting and empowering women in business is not only a matter of equity but also a strategic imperative that yields significant benefits for the business world and society as a whole.
Economic Contributions
Women-owned businesses are a significant force in economic development. In the Philippines, 66% of SMEs are women-owned, according to the State of the Filipino Women report by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW). Women own about 40% of businesses in the country, placing the Philippines among the leading nations in Asia for female entrepreneurship.
Women in the Philippines have made significant and diverse economic contributions throughout history and in the present day. Their roles have evolved from traditional activities to various sectors, significantly impacting the nation’s economy.
Historical Perspective
During the Spanish colonial era, women were primarily confined to housekeeping and childrearing, often viewed as reserved and submissive. Despite these stereotypes, they were active and enterprising, engaging in weaving and embroidery, which later became significant exports during the American colonization. By 1921, embroidery exports reached PHP 15,000,000, and hat exports amounted to PHP 1,490,020, demonstrating their vital role in economic development.
Modern Economic Activities
Today, women’s associations are actively involved in the agricultural sector, contributing to the production, value addition, and sale of agricultural products. Many are farmers’ wives, while others are heads of households, balancing family responsibilities with community and economic aspirations. These associations participate in programs like the “Kadiwa ng Pangulo,” which helps them access wider markets.
Labor Force Participation
As of 2018, less than half of Filipino women were in the labor force, with a participation rate of 46.6%. However, this represents an increase from 39.3% in 2011, indicating progress in women’s economic engagement. A significant number of women work abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), with 1.26 million female OFWs remitting approximately PHP 58.2 billion annually as of 2017.
Entrepreneurship
Women entrepreneurs play a crucial role in the Philippine economy, particularly through micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). MSMEs contribute to 40% of the country’s gross domestic product and provide employment for 63% of the population. In 2020, over 950,000 MSMEs existed, with women leading more than half of them. Despite their prevalence, women entrepreneurs face challenges such as limited access to resources, credit, and global trade opportunities, as well as shortcomings in digitalization and competitiveness.
Empowerment Initiatives
Various initiatives aim to empower women in the Philippines. The Department of Agriculture Philippine Rural Development Project (DA-PRDP) supports women through infrastructure and enterprise subprojects. In Mindanao, a significant number of women are involved in farming, processing, enterprise management, finance, and marketing. Moreover, the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) SheTrades initiative and Visa have launched projects to strengthen women entrepreneurs in the digital economy, providing them with access to knowledge, resources, and networks.
Addressing Challenges
Despite their contributions, many Filipino women still face poverty, with 22.5% considered poor nationwide as of 2015. The poorest women are located in regions such as the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and Eastern Visayas. To address these disparities, policies are needed to enable women to participate in paid labor while fulfilling domestic responsibilities. This includes quantifying the value of their domestic duties in the country’s GDP estimates and implementing flexible work arrangements.
Driving Innovation and Diverse Perspectives
Women entrepreneurs bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to leadership, often prioritizing sustainability, equity, and social responsibility in their business models.
• Unique Perspectives: Women offer novel products and services and potential for doing things differently, fostering fresh perspectives that better understand more than half the world’s consumers.
• Innovation: Women entrepreneurs drive innovation and creativity, pioneering new business models and technologies.
• Problem-Solving: They launch ventures that reflect their passions and solve real-world problems, contributing to a more diverse and resilient economy.
Benefits of Supporting Women Entrepreneurs
Supporting women entrepreneurs yields numerous benefits for the business world and society:
• Economic Growth: Women-owned businesses drive economic growth, create jobs, and stimulate local and national economies.
• Innovation and Creativity: Women bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the market, fostering competition and economic advancement.
• Social Impact: Women entrepreneurs address social challenges through their businesses, focusing on areas such as education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
• Inspiration and Role Models: Women entrepreneurs serve as role models, inspiring and motivating aspiring women entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams and overcome societal barriers.
Conclusion
Empowering women entrepreneurs is not just a matter of fairness; it is a strategic imperative that drives economic growth, fosters innovation, and promotes social good. By addressing the challenges women face and providing the necessary support and resources, we can unlock their full potential and create a more equitable and prosperous business world.
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