Sari-sari stores become hubs for women empowerment

Sari-sari stores are becoming hubs for cultivating psychological, social and economic empowerment among Filipina entrepreneurs, according to a study by startup Packworks in collaboration with the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).

- By CATHERINE TALAVERA

Findings of the PIDS-published study entitled "Gender, Microentrepreneurship, Human Flourishing: Exploring the Experiences of Women Sari-sari Store Owners toward Inclusive Growth" showed that sari-sari stores are not just a primary source of daily essentials but have also become a vital source of empowerment among women entrepreneurs.

"The results of the study suggest that women, through their ownership of sari-sari stores, are able to achieve individual well-being while also extending it to their own communities," the study said.