ABANTE BABAE
Empowerment And Agency

A place where women can open up to others, learn, laugh, and, if necessary, heal. That is SMC’s Better World Cubao (BWC). We opened the center in March 2022 to create a community where members have access to essential services to help them become empowered 21st-century women.

Our main programs are focused on health, empowerment, and women’s recovery. Health consultations are readily available and “Abante Babae” workshops covering diverse topics such as violence against women and children (VAWC), parenting challenges, and gender equality are regularly conducted. Over nine months, we have enrolled over 420 members, ran an estimated 185 classes on health education, and conducted 2,600 workshops on empowerment.

In August 2022, we began offering members free ultrasound services, with socialized costs for extended family and referrals from neighboring barangay health centers.

Our BWC members are proof that we have been able to build a strong sense of community with over 1,600 volunteer hours logged. We have seen how women with different backgrounds are able to come together to create a safe space for themselves and break down barriers of difference, promoting confidence, self- belief, and a sense of belongingness.