International Women’s Day is an annual event celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the world.
At PayPal, we believe in celebrating the achievements of our female employees which is why International Women’s Day is a big event for us. This year, PayPal Singapore put together an exciting event to honour the ladies in the local office with a day full of special activities. From a showcase of women-led enterprises, a Zumba session to afternoon tea, our ladies (and men!) had a great time.
The event kickstarted with a segment called Touched by an Angel, where we honored women in PayPal Singapore who have made a positive difference in one way or another.
We also introduced
Angels of Impact, a platform that brings together a community of ‘Angels’, both individuals and corporate, providing funding for women-led social enterprises to grow their businesses.
Angels of Impact is supported by an online platform that enables entrepreneurs to build credit-worthiness and share investor activity. Both founders were very inspired by Prof Yunus’ book Creating a World Without Poverty and the Monitor Group Report "From Blueprint to Scale", which became the cornerstones of the philosophy behind Angels of Impact.
Through the Angels of Impact onsite shopping, we learnt about the beliefs, efforts and amazing products of seven social enterprises from numerous Southeast Asian countries like Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia. Not to mention what a fruitful shopping time it was for the ladies!
Some of the entrepreneurs were on hand at PayPal to showcase their wares, find out more about them here:
Founded by Helianti Hilman, JAVARA originally started as a foundation for assisting and promoting farmers’ agriculture produce, but it has since expanded into an establishment that aims to preserve Indonesia’s rich agriculture diversity. They work hand-in-hand with local indigenous farmers, food artisans and biodiversity warriors to revive and sustain the existence of their heritage. Their range of gluten-free Biscottis, vegan and gluten free coconut chips, natural honey and coconut jam proved to be a crowd favorite!
KRAKAKOA strongly believes that empowering farmers and creating great products go hand in hand, and that well-equipped farmers produce superior cacao beans. This is why they invest in their tools and training, and support them to become master craftsmen in their trade so as to create the exceptional cacao beans that go into their chocolate.
With a passion for Indonesia and agriculture development, founder Sabrina Mustopo started KRAKAKOA. She also strongly believes in the power of the private sector to create sustainable and meaningful change, and the need for Indonesia to invest in downstream industries.
Founded in 2011, Siam Organic is a provider of the healthiest natural and organic products, with an edge in innovation. They work with farmers from the north-eastern part of Thailand to reduce farming input costs, increase yield and guarantee purchase price, making rice farming a sustainable occupation.
Siam Organic hopes to alleviate poverty among farmers in Thailand by bringing delicious, healthy and innovative products, including organic Jasberry rice, to global consumers.
TORAJAMELO ends the cycle of poverty and violence suffered by indigenous women in Indonesia by creating a market for their exquisite traditional weaving. The brand is known for high-quality, fun and functional fashion and gifts made from hand-woven textiles produced by indigenous women weavers and put together by skilled poor women in towns.
As founder Dinny Yusuf once said, “We think that Toraja women weavers are strong people. We do not think we need to empower them because they are already powerful … all they need is access to market and capital.” Since 2008, TORAJAMELO has transformed the lives of over 1,000 women weavers and over 100 women artisans.
Launched in 2009, Color Silk thrives to prevent the ancient Cambodian silk weaving tradition from vanishing, while empowering women and contributing to the economic development of more isolated areas.
Color Silk currently covers 6 villages in Takeo province, and have provided financial support to set up hundred of silk looms, where women produce an average of 1,200 meters of silk fabric and 360 scarves per month.
Part of the Stung Treng Women’s Development Centre (SWDC), Mekong Blue is a silk-weaving centre on the outskirts of Stung Treng, specialising in exquisite silk products for sale and export. As of today (August, 2011), 70 women are employed by SWDC.
Founded by Amy Blair in the belief that women deserve a fair and sustainable income, and the ability to provide for themselves and their families, Batik Boutique works with artisan families in rural Malaysia where they create batik textiles on natural fibres.
The artisans use layers of wax and dye to create the designs in a labor-intensive process, which become ethical fashion and gift items. Today, more than 50 artisans work with The Batik Boutique to gain a fair, sustainable income and marketable skills.
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It was not all about shopping though! Our ladies ended off the day with an exhilarating Zumba session led by the trainer from KUS-O-ROBIC.
From all of us at PayPal. Happy International Women’s Day!