INTRODUCTION Of the 1.3 billion people who live in absolute poverty around the globe, 70 percent are women.

For these women, poverty doesnt just mean scarcity and want. It means rights denied, opportunities curtailed and Voices silenced. History tells us that women in the society are disregarded and not given importance. Despite many international agreements affirming their human rights, women are still much more likely than men to be poor and illiterate. They usually have less access than men to medical care, property ownership, credit, training and employment. They are far less likely than men to be politically active and far more likely to be victims of domestic violence. In many societies around the world, women never belong wholly to themselves; they are the property of others throughout their lives. But in the contemporary time, women are considered one of the greatest assets in a society. They are equal to men in all aspects. Women are moreover perfectionists in all spheres. All that they need in todays world are a bit of empowerment. And it is the duty of every society to provide this. In the Vedic times, women were given an equal status like men in society. They were allowed to voice their own opinions, exhibit their talents and the list goes on. Thus, Women Empowerment emerged. Empowerment refers to enabling people to take charge of their own lives. For women, empowerment emphasizes the importance of increasing their power and taking control over decisions and issues that shape their lives. Women's empowerment addresses power and relationships in society intertwined with gender, class, race, ethnicity, age, culture and history. Power is identified with equity and equality for women and men in access to resources, participation in decision-making and control over distribution of resources and benefits. Gender equality is addressed at these different levels with the aim of increasing equality between men and women, and achieving women's empowerment.

A cornerstone of gender equality is women's equal participation in decision-making. Collective participation is also one of the essential aspects of women's empowerment. Participation in decision-making is integrated with conscientization. In the Philippines, women empowerment is visible in our society. Many women are fighting for their right and freedom. They are not afraid to speak their mind and participate in decision-making process whether within the household or in the government policies. The Philippines already had two (2) women Presidents and just recently the first woman Chief Justice. In this notion, we can say that gender equality in the society is much acceptable compare to what he had in the past.

MA. MAUREEN C. OBREGON Registered Nurse as of 2011 Head of Team Research about FML in Motiong W. Samar RTRMF Top 10 Class of 2010

Mercedeta O. Carausus Master Teacher III in Bagacay, Daram Chairman of the BTA (Bagacay Teachers Association) Masters Degree Holder as of 2011

Joyce June L. Viojan

Registered Nurse as of 2011 Miss Maanyag 2011 Miss Tacloban 2010 (2 Place)
nd

Ma. Mariel C. Obregon

1 yr. U.P - Political Science U.P Balangaw Theater Group (President) U.P Vista College Paper (Editor)
st

ManitA C. obregon
Purok 2 Treasurer (Brgy. Canlapwas

Registered Nurse Interviewer: Thank you for giving me this chance to make a conversation with you. I would like to pose some question about Woman Empowerment. What can you say about that? Maureen: I suppose, the empowered women are rampant in the society in this day and age. Interviewer: As a nurse and head of the research team in your division, how do you deal with your other subsidiary? I supposed you have men at your sleeve. Mau: Hahaha yes, there are men in my team. Sometimes its hard to be a leader especially if youre a woman because there will be times that people will look down at you and will doubt your capacity as a leader. But at the end of the day, you have to be strong and execute your function and responsibilities. Interviewer: Okay, final question, what can you articulate about woman of today who as you have said distrust their ability? In relation to promoting woman empowerment. Mau: well, I think that every human being has the capacity to live their lives without any intervention from others. As women, we have to fight for ourselves. We should not be adhering to what other people tells us. We make our fate, and that fate is to be successful.

Elementary Teacher Interviewer: Good morning madam, thank you for the time youve given me. I would like to interview you about woman empowerment. What is your insight about that? Mercedeta: woman at present is fortunate because they are enjoying that sort of privilege. In our time, women are for the house only. Male in the family are given importance in education. But time has changed. As youve said we have this woman empowerment wherein woman of today can direct their lives. We are given equal rights along with men. Interviewer: Being the president of your association, isnt it hard to deal with others especially men in general? Mercedeta: As I have mentioned, woman in the present day are more in charge of things. Our ability as a leader is not questioned due to the fact that we are wearing a skirt. I think, it is more of your skill and capacity to lead your subordinate. Interviewer: That is very correct. For my last inquiry, what can you say about women who are not fighting for their right and those men who abuse and dont give importance to woman? Mercedeta: Well, we have all to be conscious of our rights. There are several laws concerning abuse of woman and their children. I believe that woman should be educated about their civil liberties and freedom. We should fight for what we have and we dont have especially discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination in gender should be abolished.

Registered Nurse Interviewer: Hi Joyce, how are you? Thanks for your time. I would like to ask your opinion about woman empowerment. What thought do you have in mind? Joyce: Hmmmm woman empowerment is the independence of woman to be in command of their lives and to make the necessary judgment for themselves. Interviewer: I heard you that like to join in beauty pageant, in what way this kind of action promotes woman empowerment? Joyce: Yes I do join a bunch of beauty contest. Well, through this sort of activity, I would be able to show the world the beauty of woman. Hence woman should be loved and be protected. Through this contest, woman will be able to share their knowledge to the world. Woman in general should be given much importance because we are the bearer of life. It also promotes woman empowerment in the sense that is shows how talented and outspoken a modern woman is. Interviewer: Very well said Ms. Viojan! Hahaha well, for my last question, what advice can you provide to those woman out there that do not know how important they are in the society? Joyce: We should fight for the things essential for us woman. Always fight for what you think is right.

1st yr. Political Science U.P student The following interview was done through telephone conversation: Interviewer: Hello Mariel. How are you there in Tacloban? My question for you is about woman empowerment. What do you assume about it? Mariel: Hello also, Im very much okay here. I must say woman empowerment is a strong proclamation that woman should wear in their skin. Interviewer: Thats deep. Anyways, I believed youre such an active student not only in the academics but also in extra curricular activities. How woman empowerment is applicable in the things that you do? Mariel: Women in our time are extremely active in the sense that what men are able to do can also be done by woman. The only difference is that women can do it better. Being part of diverse organization in the university, it may also help me to spread awareness to other people out there, especially women, that we can do things without the help of men. We have the power to change the society and the world. Interviewer: What advice can you give to those students just like you who are frightened to fight their freedom as woman in the society? Mariel: The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they dont have any. So, we should be responsive about our constitutional rights and dont let others discriminate who we are as a woman.

House Wife Interviewer: Thank you for the opportunity to have an interview with you. The questions that Im about to ask you is women empowerment. Do you have any idea about it? Manita: Yes, I guess women empowerment is doing things that are usually done by men in our society. Interviewer: Yeah thats right. As a mother at the same time a purok treasurer in you baranggay, how does women empowerment is promoted? Manita: As I have said through women empowerment we can do things only men can do before. Being part of the baranggay helps me to be responsible and participative in the policies made by our purok. Before I am just stuck in the house with nothing to do but now I have time to do things for my baranggay. It does not only help me but I also help other people and that I think is the essence of women empowerment. Interviewer: So, what recommendation can you give to those women who are not aware of their rules and status in the society? Manita: A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform. We can do so many things for our society. We can have a job, take care for our children and help our community. So, women must not let themselves be consumed with domestic responsibilities. Women should productive and participative!