World Vision Philippines is calling for greater support and opportunities for girls as it marks the eighth year of its Girls Can Campaign, an initiative that aims to empower girls to learn, lead, thrive, and confidently claim their space in the world.
The organization recently held the Girls Can Campaign launch at Gateway Mall 1 in Quezon City, where World Vision ambassadors, advocates, and child sponsors came together for a day of conversations and activities promoting girl empowerment and creating spaces where girls can dream, speak up, and be heard.
The event opened with a call from Jun Godornes, World Vision Philippines’ Resource Development Director, inviting everyone to sponsor a girl.
“With our support, girls can. They can say no as well. say no to early marriage, say no to abuse, say no to exploitation, and no to anything that tells a girl that she has to give up her future because of her circumstances today. So dito po pumapasok yung child sponsorship, because it doesn’t help just one child, it helps transform an entire community. Your support contributes to solutions that address education, health, child protection, livelihood, and other barriers created by poverty.”
Many Filipina girls and women today are proving that they can be anything they set their minds to — from becoming leaders and advocates to creating art, building businesses, pursuing careers, and shaping their communities. Yet despite these strides, gender bias and stereotypes continue to influence the opportunities available to girls and women.
For girls growing up in vulnerable communities, these challenges can be magnified by poverty, limited access to opportunities, and the risk of violence and exploitation.
The gap becomes particularly evident as girls transition into adulthood. According to a 2026 study by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), only 52.8% of Filipino women were part of the labor force, compared with 73.7% of men. Gender expectations at home may also influence women’s economic participation. A 2024 PSA study found that women accounted for 11.3% of unpaid family workers, compared with just 4.7% of men.
These realities underscore why World Vision, a Christian humanitarian organization, continues to amplify the voices and potential of girls through the Girls Can Campaign—working toward a world where girls have the opportunity and support to claim their space, learn, lead, and thrive.
The program continued with a talk from Evangeline Caseres, Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Advisor of World Vision Philippines, who discussed how gender norms and stereotypes can shape the experiences, choices, and opportunities available to girls, and the importance of creating environments where they are free to challenge these expectations.
World Vision ambassador and journalist Jacque Manabat followed with a discussion on “The Spaces That Shape Girls – Safe, Inclusive Environments,” highlighting how the spaces where girls learn, grow, and participate are constantly evolving. She discussed how online and digital platforms can create opportunities for girls to learn, connect, express themselves, and make their voices heard, while also recognizing the risks and challenges they may encounter in these spaces. With the growing use of technology and artificial intelligence, Jacque emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and skills to navigate these spaces safely, responsibly, and confidently.
Award-winning actress and World Vision ambassador Jasmine Curtis-Smith tackled “Girls Can Break the Bias,” sharing how her own family shaped the way she and her sister learned to recognize their voices, set boundaries, and challenge expectations placed on women.
“One woman’s freedom changes the next girl’s starting point,” shared Jasmine. “Our mother setting her own boundaries eventually taught myself and my ate that our voices matter. Na pwede kami magsalita pag ayaw namin, at pag hindi tama ang pagtrato sa amin.”
Her story showed how girls can learn to claim their space by seeing the women around them do the same. By setting boundaries, speaking up, and standing firm, Jasmine’s mother became an example not only for herself but also for the next generation.
Binibining Pilipinas Queens Gwendoline Meliz Soriano and Julianne Raine Antonio also joined the event to discuss “Girls Can Claim Their Space: Making Room for Girls to Dream, Lead, and Thrive” and “It Takes All of Us: Creating a Future Where Girls Can.”
The Queens shared stories from their childhood, including the dreams they had growing up and the courage it took to pursue them. Their experiences reflected how claiming one’s space can begin with something as simple as daring to dream – and having the courage to take steps toward making those dreams a reality.
Their stories also highlighted the importance of having people who believe in girls and encourage them to pursue opportunities, especially when the path ahead may feel uncertain.
Their messages paved the way for a panel discussion, sharing perspectives on how families, communities, and other allies can help create spaces where girls feel supported to pursue their dreams and reach their potential.
Adding energy to the celebration were performances by longtime World Vision ambassadors, Quest and Perkins Twins, who have also used their platforms to stand as allies in promoting gender equality and supporting girls to confidently claim their space.
Their participation highlighted that creating a future where #GirlsCan is not only a responsibility for girls and women, but a shared commitment that includes men and boys as allies.
The program concluded with a #GirlsCan Commitment Pledge, led by Jasmine Curtis-Smith. She was joined by the Binibining Pilipinas Queens, fellow World Vision ambassadors, and World Vision representatives for a collective commitment to creating a future where every girl can learn, lead, thrive, and claim her space.
Because when girls are given the opportunity to dream, the confidence to speak, and the support to pursue what they believe they can achieve, they can take their place in shaping their own futures, their families, and their communities.
Inspire girls to claim their space and achieve their full potential by joining World Vision’s call for sponsorships. Help change a young girl’s life for as little as Php 30 a day or Php 900 a month through child sponsorship.
Beyond tangible support, sponsorship also nurtures meaningful relationships through letters, prayers, and personal encounters that remind children they are loved, valued, and never alone.
To know more about World Vision, visit www.worldvision.org.ph and follow World Vision Philippines’ official social media pages: @worldvisionph on Facebook and Twitter and @worldvisionphl on Instagram
