Today, as the world celebrates International Women’s Day, I want to speak directly about what this day means to us at Guild Solutions Inc. It is easy for organisations to post messages of support for women. It is easy to say the right words. What is harder, and far more important, is to build a workplace where women are genuinely supported, respected and empowered every day of the year.

Across the Philippines, women continue to strengthen their presence in the workforce. The Philippine Statistics Authority reports that 20.2 million women were employed as of December 2025. The Department of Labor and Employment also notes that women’s labour force participation has risen to 52.3 percent, a meaningful increase over the past decade. These numbers show progress, but they also remind us that participation alone does not guarantee fairness, opportunity or dignity.

At GSI, we believe that supporting women requires more than compliance. It requires intention, investment and a culture that protects and uplifts women at every stage of their careers and lives. Today, I want to share how we walk our talk.

A workplace where women never have to choose between career and family

Many women in the Philippines still face difficult choices when balancing work and family responsibilities. While labour laws provide a foundation for parental leave, the financial and emotional burden often remains with the mother.

At GSI, we made a deliberate decision to remove that burden.

• Women who take parental leave receive one hundred percent of their salary, this is in addition to the statutory portion.
• This applies to all permanent employees, ensuring that women can prioritise their families without worrying about their livelihood.
• Returning mothers are supported in their reintegration and career progression, without penalty or stigma.

This is not common practice in the private sector. It is a choice we make because we believe that supporting women during life’s most important moments is not an expense. It is a responsibility.

We also do not discriminate against pregnant women during hiring. In the past twelve months, two pregnant women joined GSI, selected purely on merit. Pregnancy is never a barrier to opportunity in our organisation.

Representation that reflects real commitment

Women make up more than half of the employed population in the Philippines, yet leadership roles across many industries remain uneven. At GSI, representation is not symbolic. It is embedded in our leadership structure.

• Forty three percent of our leaders are women, from frontline supervisors to senior executives.
• Another forty three percent are men.
• The remaining leaders identify as LGBTQ.

This balance reflects our belief that leadership potential is not defined by gender. It is defined by capability, integrity and the willingness to serve others.

Equal pay as a non negotiable standard

Gender pay gaps persist in many sectors of the Philippine labour market. Studies show that women remain concentrated in lower paying roles and continue to face disparities in compensation.

GSI takes a clear and uncompromising position.

Women at GSI earn the same remuneration as their male counterparts for the same roles and accountabilities. Our salary structures are transparent and role based. We review them regularly to ensure fairness is not assumed but demonstrated.

A culture where respect is mandatory, not optional

A safe workplace is not defined only by policies. It is defined by behaviour. At GSI, we do not tolerate catcalling, sexist remarks or any form of misogynistic behaviour. Over the past twelve months, we have required several offenders to undergo gender sensitivity training to ensure they understand the impact of their actions and the standards expected of them.

Respect is not negotiable. Every woman, and every person, deserves to feel safe and valued at work. We protect that standard consistently and without exception.

Investing in women’s growth and future

Across the Philippines, women’s access to training and development remains uneven, with many sectors showing declines in female participation in professional advancement.

GSI has taken the opposite direction.

• Sixty two percent of our total learning and development investment has gone to women, including training, certifications and overseas travel.
• We sponsor women to attend industry events such as International Women’s Day with ANZCham Philippines, giving them visibility and networks beyond the workplace.
• We provide structured pathways for women to grow into leadership, technical and specialised roles.

We do not invest in women because it looks good on paper. We invest in women because they are central to our success and to the future of our organisation.

A culture that supports women as whole people

Policies matter. Representation matters. Pay equity matters. But culture is what makes these commitments real. At GSI, women are encouraged to lead, to speak, to challenge, to innovate and to bring their full selves to work. They are supported not just as employees, but as mothers, daughters, partners and individuals with ambitions beyond the workplace.

Our culture is built on trust, flexibility and respect. These values allow women to thrive without sacrificing the parts of their lives that matter most.

Walking the talk, every day

International Women’s Day is a moment to celebrate progress, but it is also a reminder of the work that remains. Many organisations speak about supporting women. At GSI, we choose to show it through action, investment and accountability.

We are proud of the women who lead, grow and succeed within our organisation. We are proud of the culture we continue to build. And we remain committed to ensuring that every woman at GSI has the opportunity to thrive.

As we join the world in celebrating International Women’s Day, I invite you to reflect on what real support for women looks like. At GSI, we will continue to walk our talk, today and every day.

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Same article in Filipino

Ang Totoong Pagsuporta sa Kababaihan: Ang Paninindigan ng Guild Solutions Inc ngayong International Women’s Day

Ngayong International Women’s Day, gusto kong personal na magbahagi kung ano ang kahulugan ng araw na ito para sa amin sa Guild Solutions Inc. Maraming organisasyon ang nagsasabi na sinusuportahan nila ang kababaihan. Marami ang nagpo post ng mensahe, nagbabago ng banner at nagpapakita ng pakikiisa. Mahalaga ang mga iyon, pero hindi sapat. Ang tunay na sukatan ay kung paano tinatrato ang kababaihan sa araw araw.

Sa Pilipinas, patuloy na lumalakas ang presensya ng kababaihan sa mundo ng trabaho. Ayon sa Philippine Statistics Authority, 20.2 milyong kababaihan ang employed noong Disyembre 2025. Ayon din sa Department of Labor and Employment, umakyat na sa 52.3 porsyento ang labor force participation ng kababaihan, isang malinaw na pag angat kumpara sa nakaraang dekada. Ipinapakita nito ang progreso, pero ipinapaalala rin na marami pa ring hamon pagdating sa patas na oportunidad at dignidad sa trabaho.

Sa GSI, naniniwala kami na ang pagsuporta sa kababaihan ay hindi lang tungkol sa pagsunod sa batas. Kailangan ito ng intensyon, malinaw na polisiya at kultura na tunay na nag aalaga at nagpapalakas sa kababaihan sa bawat yugto ng kanilang buhay at karera. Ngayong International Women’s Day, gusto kong ibahagi kung paano namin ito isinasabuhay.

Isang lugar kung saan hindi kailangang mamili ang kababaihan sa pagitan ng pamilya at trabaho

Marami pa ring kababaihan sa Pilipinas ang napipilitang mamili sa pagitan ng trabaho at pamilya. Kahit may mga probisyon ang batas para sa parental leave, madalas nananatili ang bigat ng responsibilidad at pangamba sa ina.

Sa GSI, sinigurado naming hindi mangyayari iyon.

• Ang mga kababaihang nagpa parental leave ay tumatanggap ng isang daang porsyento ng kanilang sahod, bukod pa sa statutory portion.
• Ito ay para sa lahat ng permanenteng empleyado, para makapagpokus sila sa pamilya nang hindi iniisip ang kabuhayan.
• Pagbalik nila, sinusuportahan sila sa pagpasok muli sa trabaho at sa kanilang career growth.

Hindi ito karaniwang ginagawa sa private sector. Pinili namin ito dahil naniniwala kami na ang pagsuporta sa kababaihan sa pinakamahalagang yugto ng kanilang buhay ay hindi gastos. Ito ay tungkulin.

Hindi rin kami nagdidiskrimina sa mga buntis na aplikante. Sa nakaraang labindalawang buwan, dalawang buntis na kababaihan ang natanggap sa GSI, base sa kanilang kakayahan at potensyal. Hindi kailanman hadlang ang pagbubuntis sa oportunidad.

Representasyon na hindi pang display, kundi totoo at makabuluhan

Bagama’t higit kalahati ng employed population sa Pilipinas ay kababaihan, hindi pa rin pantay ang representasyon sa leadership roles sa maraming industriya. Sa GSI, hindi ito nangyayari nang aksidente. Bahagi ito ng aming kultura at proseso.

• Apatnapu’t tatlong porsyento ng aming mga lider ay kababaihan, mula frontline hanggang executive level.
• Apatnapu’t tatlong porsyento ay kalalakihan.
• Ang natitira ay nag identify bilang LGBTQ.

Ipinapakita nito na para sa amin, ang pagiging lider ay hindi nakabase sa kasarian. Nakabase ito sa kakayahan, integridad at malasakit.

Pantay na sahod bilang hindi mapag usapang prinsipyo

Patuloy pa ring nakikita ang gender pay gaps sa maraming sektor sa Pilipinas. Maraming kababaihan ang nasa mas mababang bayad na roles at nakararanas ng hindi pantay na kompensasyon.

Sa GSI, malinaw ang aming paninindigan.

Ang kababaihan sa GSI ay tumatanggap ng parehong sahod tulad ng kanilang male counterparts para sa parehong trabaho at responsibilidad. Transparent ang aming salary structure at regular itong nire review para masigurong patas at walang kinikilingan.

Kultura ng respeto

Hindi sapat ang polisiya kung hindi ito sinasabayan ng tamang asal. Sa GSI, hindi namin tinotolerate ang catcalling, sexist remarks o anumang misogynistic na pag uugali. Sa nakaraang labindalawang buwan, may mga empleyadong ipinadala namin sa gender sensitivity training para maunawaan nila ang epekto ng kanilang kilos at ang pamantayan ng respeto na inaasahan sa lahat.

Hindi ito usapan ng disiplina lang. Usapan ito ng dignidad. Lahat ng babae, at lahat ng tao, ay may karapatang maging ligtas at nirerespeto sa trabaho.

Malaking puhunan para sa pag unlad ng kababaihan

Hindi pantay ang access ng kababaihan sa training at development sa maraming industriya sa Pilipinas. May mga sektor na bumababa pa nga ang female participation sa professional advancement.

Sa GSI, kabaligtaran ang nangyayari.

• Animnapu’t dalawang porsyento ng aming learning and development budget ay napupunta sa kababaihan, kasama ang training, certifications at overseas travel.
• Sinasagot namin ang pagdalo ng kababaihan sa mga events tulad ng International Women’s Day ng ANZCham Philippines para lumawak ang kanilang exposure at network.
• May malinaw na pathways para sa kababaihan na pumasok sa leadership, technical roles at iba pang specialised functions.

Hindi namin ito ginagawa para maganda tingnan sa papel. Ginagawa namin ito dahil mahalaga ang kababaihan sa tagumpay at kinabukasan ng aming organisasyon.

Isang kulturang kumikilala sa kababaihan bilang buong tao

Mahalaga ang polisiya. Mahalaga ang representasyon. Mahalaga ang pantay na sahod. Pero ang tunay na nagpapatibay sa lahat ng ito ay kultura. Sa GSI, hinihikayat ang kababaihan na mamuno, magsalita, magtanong, mag innovate at maging totoo sa kanilang sarili. Sinusuportahan sila hindi lang bilang empleyado, kundi bilang ina, anak, kapatid, partner at indibidwal na may sariling pangarap.

Ang kultura namin ay nakabatay sa tiwala, flexibility at respeto. Ito ang nagbibigay daan para umunlad ang kababaihan nang hindi isinasakripisyo ang mahahalagang bahagi ng kanilang buhay.

Patuloy na pag unlad na may katapatan at intensyon

Ipinagmamalaki ko ang progreso ng GSI. Nakikita namin ang resulta. Nararamdaman ng kababaihan ang suporta. Pero malinaw din sa amin na hindi dito nagtatapos ang trabaho.

Ang pagiging patas ay hindi finish line. Isa itong tuloy tuloy na proseso na nangangailangan ng pakikinig, pag aaral at pagiging bukas sa pagbabago. Kahit maganda ang nakikita naming resulta ngayon, alam naming may mga bagay pang dapat pagbutihin habang nagbabago ang panahon at pangangailangan ng kababaihan.

Hindi rin kami nag iisa sa paglalakbay na ito. Nakikipag partner kami sa mga organisasyon na nagsisilbing dagdag na mata at gabay, tumutulong makita ang mga blind spots at pinapalakas ang aming mga polisiya. Mahalaga ang mga partnership na ito para manatili kaming accountable at nakaayon sa mas malawak na pamantayan ng pagiging patas at makatao.

Ngayong International Women’s Day, inuulit ko ang aming pangako. Patuloy naming bubuuin ang isang lugar kung saan ligtas, nirerespeto at pinapalakas ang kababaihan. Isang lugar kung saan ang pagiging patas ay hindi salita, kundi gawain.