Citi celebrates International Women’s Day with 24-hour global event

Women of Citi Philippines connect and bring hope to young girls in Tahanan Sta. Luisa.

MANILA, Philippines—Citi colleagues in more than 50 countries have participated in a company-wide global commemoration of International Women’s Day (IWD), an important celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women worldwide.  IWD has been observed since the early 1900s. In 1977 the United Nations General Assembly formally designated March 8 as International Women’s Day.

To underscore the importance of women to Citi’s success, Citi hosted nearly 100 programs in more than 80 cities around the world, including a 24-hour, round-the-clock series of events taking place every hour on Wednesday beginning in Seoul and Sydney and concluding in Mexico City, New York City, and San Jose, Costa Rica.

In the Philippines, Citi kicked off IWD last March 3 where nearly 50 women colleagues from different businesses across the bank spent the morning with the beneficiaries of Tahanan Sta. Luisa (Tahanan) in Quezon City. Tahanan, which means “home” in Filipino, is a non-profit foundation that seeks to rehabilitate young girls who are survivors of physical, emotional and sexual abuse. The foundation’s goal is to rehabilitate and help these girls reintegrate into mainstream society and a normal life.

“These girls have been exposed to drugs, sex, physical abuse and alcohol while living on the streets at a very young age. We identify as well as assist them in dealing with the trauma of past experiences with psychological, emotional and spiritual support, and help integrate them back into society,” explained Tahanan’s Center Director Mercy Cabrillas, while welcoming the Citi volunteers.

A number of Citi volunteers spent the day tutoring girls aged 11 to 21 years in Filipino, English and mathematics. Although many are not enrolled in formal schools, they attend sessions based on modules of the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System for Basic Education. To measure the competencies of those who have completed the modules, a test called Acceleration and Equivalency Test is held yearly. Those who qualify are given a diploma certifying their competencies as comparable to graduates of the formal school system.

Citi volunteer Shen Ratilla, who has a home-based bakeshop that creates customized cakes, led around 21 Citi volunteers in a cooking session with the girls. Shen taught the girls how to make pizza from ingredients such as sliced bread, cheese sticks and iced corn. Shen carefully chose these recipes, working with simple ingredients that are affordable and can be found in any kitchen. The food they prepared served as appetizers and dessert for the entire group during lunch.

Tahanan also invited Alma Quinto, a local sculptor and painter who uses art in conducting therapy sessions. The Citi women joined Quinto in teaching the girls how to paint T-shirts.

Speaking to the volunteers, Cabrillas said, “Activities such as dance, cooking and painting serve as therapy for the girls, who often have difficulty releasing their emotions. The most important thing that these girls need is love, and we appreciate that many Citi volunteers came today to participate in the different activities.”

The day ended with Citi volunteers treating the girls and staff of Tahanan to their favorite meal – fried chicken with rice. After lunch, the girls gave a dance performance for the Citi volunteers, which ended with hugs and tears of joy.  One girl, who was in tears after the event said, “We are just happy when people come to visit us. It is wonderful making friends with different people.”

As a parting gift, Citi Philippines Corporate Affairs Director Aneth Lim presented the girls and the staff of Tahanan with gift boxes of Human Nature products, a local company that produces organic shampoo and conditioner.

“More important than the activities, gifts and food we served, we wanted today’s activity to be about hope and to give these girls something to aspire towards. It was great to see friendships being formed, and promises being made for return visits. We also wanted to honor the social workers of Tahanan, whose generosity make it possible for these young girls to have a better life,” related Lim.

Volunteerism remains strong among Citi employees in the Philippines. Throughout the year, they keep the “bayanihan” (volunteerism) spirit alive as they remain committed to serving the less fortunate. This spirit of service continues as the women of Citi Philippines share their time and love with the young women and girls of Tahanan – an apt way to mark IWD.

On March 8, the Philippines continued IWD celebrations with a breakfast roundtable hosted by Citi Country Officer Sanjiv Vohra with the bank’s senior women officers and later in the afternoon, a panel of successful women from different fields will share their inspiring stories to the women of Citi in a dialogue to commemorate IWD.

Elsewhere around the world, Citi’s IWD celebrations will comprise a global roster of diverse and enriching local activity, connecting women from all around the world at events ranging from business conferences and networking events to local women’s craft markets, theatrical performances and more.

Citi, which recognizes diversity as a competitive advantage and business imperative, has been recognized for its comprehensive diversity and employee benefit programs that foster professional advancement and offer flextime hours, telecommuting, paid maternity leave and employee assistance programs. Citi has more than 142,000 female employees located in more than 130 countries, 55 women’s groups globally, and 61 employee networks and affinity groups in the US, Canada, the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, including networks focused on heritage (African, Asian, Hispanic, Native American), LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender), military veterans, people with disabilities, women and working parents.

For anyone interested in volunteering and donating to Tahanan Sta. Luisa, you may contact Mercy Carbillas at +632 9319853 or e-mail to [email protected].