Women empowerment involves recognizing that both men and women possess unique strengths and weaknesses, with the weaknesses of women not warranting their devaluation, according to former vice president Leni Robredo.

Speaking during a roundtable discussion hosted by the Asian Studies Society, Robredo emphasized that transforming our mindsets through collaborative efforts can strengthen women empowerment.

“Dapat mayroong intentional undoing, and intentional unlearning na ginagamit,” she said during the discussion titled, 'Girl Talk: AScension of a Modern Filipina Hija,' at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati building on Saturday, April 6.

According to the former vice president, our culture has dictated that men are superior to women, with chores being allotted to women alone and jobs for men. Now that the latter are allowed to engage more in society, they face heightened pressure and expectations.

Robredo said that despite the number of gender sensitivity trainings that the government and some in the private sector provide, there are still gaps for its effective implementation due to its technicality.

“[M]insan, may kakulangan din ang mga gender sensitivity trainings. Parang sobrang taas, sobrang cerebral. Kapag gumagawa ka ng training, kailangan ibaba mo, i-adjust sa experiences ng mga nagpaparticipate,” Robredo added.

During the 2022 presidential elections, Robredo shared that some people, specifically women, chose not to vote for her because she is weak, for she is a woman that calls for a change in beliefs even for women.

“[Even women,] we enable that kind of patriarchal mindset na kailangan basagin,” she said.

School organizations and the academe can contribute to the campaign to empower women's roles in society by promoting awareness and immersing students in community development programs.

“Ang mga eskwelahan, sinisiguro na hindi lang mahuhusay ang mga estudyante na gagraduate sa eskwelahan, [They should also ensure] that their hearts be in the right place kapag binitawan niyo na sila to the real world,” she said.

Robredo shared that this is part of what she emphasized during her presidential campaign and is aligned with one of her mottos, “Kapag namulat na, hindi na muling pipikit pa.”

At the end of the discussion, Robredo encouraged women to “value themselves” more and for men to participate in “collective action to understand women matters” to address gender issues.

Robredo currently leads the Angat Buhay organization, which promotes the bayanihan spirit to empower Filipino communities, particularly those who are marginalized.—With reports from Mikaela Gabrielle de Castro and Zia Ramirez