Left to right: KayaROI people and sustainability partner Jude Angela Reyes, HERDD creative partner Knox Balbastro-Kwek, WFWPI Global Youth Ambassador for Peace Charlene Bornea, WFWPI UN representative Marivir Montebon, WOW founder Isa Buencamino-Agbayani, WFWPI UN Relations Office director Merly Barlaan, Heidrick and Struggles principal Leanne Arcinue, Spark Philippines executive director Maica Teves, Loida Lewis, Karen Davila, HERDD chief curator Ivanna Aguiling-Dela Torre and UNOPS project lanager Rior Santos. (Photo from HERDD)
Despite more women across Southeast Asia stepping into visible roles in business, government and civil society, studies show that many are still struggling to break into positions of real influence but this will be possibly addressed with the launching of a new platform that would help in giving them higher lead roles in the region.
During the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) held in New York City, the issue about differences in leadership gap took center stage and in response organizers officially launched Human and Environmental Rights Due Diligence (HERDD) platform designed to help more women in the region rise, lead and be finally be heard.
The new program was launched as a leadership accelerator for women in Southeast Asia with the aim of building a stronger ecosystem for women through insight, visibility and community and helping emerging and established women leaders navigate real-world leadership challenges while expanding their voice and influence across Southeast Asia and eventually the world.
The initiative was led by three Filipinas: HERDD chief curator Ivanna Aguiling-Dela Torre, WFWPI UN Relations Office director Merly Barlaan and WOW founder Isa Buencamino-Agbayani.
Also present in the event were members of the diplomatic community, representatives from civil society and the private sector and the Philippine delegation to the United Nations.
For organizers, the launch of HERDD means responding to the persistent regional challenge where women, though, already be doing the work, drive outcomes and shape communities, are still excluded from the spaces where power is consolidated and key decisions are made.
