In celebration of International Day of the Girl, the “From Isolation to Inclusion: Empowering Girls, Shaping Futures” was held to address the unique challenges young women face. Beiersdorf Philippines, Watsons, and Plan International came together to host the event, and stakeholders from the Punlaan School were in attendance.
The partnership between these three organizations highlighted the importance of providing mental health support and career development resources to empower girls and help them navigate the complexities of adulthood.
Known for its sustainability initiative “Caring Beyond Skin,” Beiersdorf Philippines, was represented by country manager Nimisha Jain. She opened the event by explaining the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting young women through various programs. “Women, especially young girls, face more marginalization than others. Our goal is to bring them to the forefront, offering them the support they need to thrive.”
Zyra Tinio, group category manager of Trading Beauty at Watsons, echoed Jain’s sentiments, saying that Watsons is equally committed to empowering women. “At Watsons, 70% of our workforce is women, and 60% of our management team are women leaders,” she said. “We believe in creating opportunities for girls and women to excel and have a bright future ahead.”
One of the key sessions of the event was led by Eiza Fusingan, chief well-being officer at MindNation. Fusingan shared insights on the mental health challenges faced by Gen Z, particularly young women. “We are seeing more mental health issues now, with depression and anxiety being the most common among the youth,” she said. Fusingan introduced the wellness wheel, a holistic tool used to evaluate various aspects of well-being, including mental, emotional, and social health.
“We want girls to be attuned to themselves,” Fusingan said. “It’s about thriving in every season, in every stage of life, and acknowledging that self-care plays a huge part in that journey.”
Fusingan’s session also touched on the importance of building resilience and managing mental health, especially in a world that often imposes unrealistic standards on young women. “About 67% of women face mental health struggles, which are deeply connected to societal pressures. We must address these with care and understanding,” she said.
Another engaging speaker was Janine del Mundo, a psychologist and project coordinator at Lunas Collective, an organization that provides support to victims of gender-based violence through a chat-based helpline. Del Mundo’s presentation focused on the need to view mental health through the lens of gender and sexuality.
“Mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s deeply influenced by gender norms and expectations,” Del Mundo said. She urged the audience to reflect on how societal pressures shape their sense of identity. “Gender norms are unfair and unrealistic. They lead to internalized oppression, discrimination, and in worst cases, violence. These norms need to be dismantled if we want to see real change.”
Del Mundo also discussed how the Lunas Collective is making a difference, particularly in providing feminist care. “We see responding to disclosures of gender-based violence as a societal responsibility, not just an individual one,” she said.
The day ended with a ceremonial signing of the renewed partnership agreement between Beiersdorf Philippines, Watsons, and Plan International. This partnership will continue their collaborative work of creating initiatives that provide young women with the skills, support, and opportunities they need to succeed in both their personal and professional lives.