Cover UN Women’s National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines Karen Davila gave her insights on climate change and nurturing women-led businesses, among other pressing topics (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
UN Women’s National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines Karen Davila gave her insights on climate change and nurturing women-led businesses, among other pressing topics (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
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UN Women's National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines Karen Davila shared empowering words on the fight to strengthen climate action and gender equality
To mark this year’s United Nations (UN) Day, the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs held an event at SM Aura featuring Karen Davila, UN Women’s National Goodwill Ambassador for the Philippines, In her keynote address, Davila gave her insights on the intersection of climate action and gender equality. She urged women to rethink their roles in driving sustainable change, from addressing the fashion industry’s environmental impact to highlighting the challenges faced by those in poverty.
Additionally, Davila provided a fresh perspective on how consumption habits, economic empowerment and mentorship can contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future. Here are seven key takeaways from her speech that underscore the importance of responsible consumerism, nurturing women-led businesses and shifting societal mindsets.
More from Tatler: UN Women on championing women’s participation in leadership and decision-making this 2024
Above Karen Davila delivers her keynote address (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
Karen Davila delivers her keynote address (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
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1. On the generational shift in women’s support
“There has always been a mindset of women [viewing other women] as competition. The hashtag ‘women supporting women’ is very popular among Gen Z [...] but from the generation that I came from, especially in the corporate world, we always came from a mindset of lack.”
Davila highlights the difference in mindset between older and younger generations of women. While previous generations viewed other women as competitions due to patriarchal values and limited opportunities in the corporate world, younger generations embrace the idea of “women supporting women,” symbolised by hashtags on social media and a rising call for political activism among the youth.
2. On consumerism and self-worth
“We often think and believe that we are more valuable, more important, and more beautiful depending on the brands we wear [...] we somehow strive to fill in this need for self-validation.”
Davila emphasises how women often seek validation through fashion, believing that their self-worth is linked to the brands they wear. It is this kind of mindset that drives consumerism, which is particularly evident in the fashion industry, where women are the largest consumers.
3. On the environmental impact of fashion
“Just last year, the UN came out with studies that showed that the fashion industry alone produced 97 million tonnes of waste [...] 18 million tonnes of those were leftover textile, 2.5 million are chemical waste, and 3 million consisted of packing materials.”
Her speech highlights the fashion industry’s significant environmental footprint, with millions of tons of textile waste, chemical pollution, and packaging waste generated each year. Davila acknowledges the individual person’s complicity in this issue, urging the population to reflect on their existing sustainable practices.
Above ZCME President Joanna Zapanta Andrada and Karen Davila (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
ZCME President Joanna Zapanta Andrada and Karen Davila (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
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4. On women and poverty
“The face of poverty worldwide is a woman. A woman who has less opportunities and who essentially earns less instinctively believes that her only purpose is to take care of her husband and children.”
Globally, the face of poverty is the average woman, who typically earns less and has fewer opportunities than a man. According to Davila, supporting businesses led by women is a surefire wway to empower them and uplift entire communities.
5. On supporting women-led businesses as an investment
“[...] when we support businesses that are founded and run by women, I always say it’s a better internal investment. Women uplift not just their families, but the community as a whole.”
She emphasises that investing in women-led businesses is not only socially responsible, but also economically sound. According to her, women have the capacity to uplift entire communities.
Above Karen Davila poses with members of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
Karen Davila poses with members of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs (Photo: Courtesy of the Zonta Club of Makati and Environs)
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6. On mentorship and knowledge-sharing
“There are many successful women in this room, but not all of us can say that we take the time to share what we know to other women who do not have the opportunities that were available to us.”
Davila’s speech calls for successful women to take on the role of mentors—to share their knowledge, experience and support with the younger generation, especially to those without the same educational opportunities and background.
7. On women dressing for themselves, not for the attention of men
“The irony of it all, men think we want to look good for them. That is so untrue. I’ve never wanted to lose weight for a man.”
Davila challenges the stereotype that women dress to impress men. She argues that women dress for themselves to feel confident and fit into their own ideal image. This aligns with deeper psychological and societal pressures surrounding body image.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
Work
Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
