Wednesday, March 27

Pilipinas Shell Women Drive the Future: Empowering Women on the Road

In today’s technology driven world, unfortunately there is still discrimination or stereotyping about women drivers. Amidst the clamor for women empowerment, wherein women are recognized for exemplary abilities, stigma still prevails against women drivers.




As the world celebrates the International Women’s Month last March, Pilipinas Shell is also celebrating its 105 glorious years in the Philippines. Known as the global leader in power and energy, Shell launched a unique campaign that will provide a platform that aims to empower women to take the lead in creating a bright future which will subsequently eradicate the stigma against female drivers.


Vanessa Ejercito, Shell FuelSave Brand Manager

The campaign is aptly dubbed as “Women! Drive the Future”, that is geared towards empowering women drivers redefining the essence of women who drive while crashing down the stereotype beliefs associated with female drivers. This campaign will support meaningful journeys that women go through every day. This will also motivate women to embrace their capabilities, fulfill their full potential and inspire them to go wherever they want to go.

 

We want to bring together women to talk about how they take on the road ahead of and how they can use this to take control of their lives. We at Shell believe that, through this campaign, we will be able to better understand and subsequently address the needs of every female driver,” said Vanessa Ejercito, Shell FuelSave Brand Manager during the media launch last March 16 at the elegant The Blackbird at The Neilson Tower.


Luna Garcia, A-1 Driving School Business Development Head


Several initiatives were made by Pilipinas Shell to enhance the journeys of women drivers such as partnering with the country’s biggest retail giant through SM Advantage Card that allows cardholder to earn points each time they gas up with Shell. Well- appointed ladies comfort rooms are provide by Shell gasoline stations for the comfort of women drivers while Shell Select and Deli2Go has a good array of healthy products perfect for women. 



A solid partnership with the country’s leading driving school A-1 Driving School will strengthen the abilities of women drivers. A-1 is in full support in breaking the stigma on women drivers through information dissemination and education.


With this in mind, a special program was created called “Women on Wheels” that is centered on road safety which tackles understanding road signs up to learning basic troubleshooting such as changing tires. 



“We want to emphasize that there are numerous preventive measures that we can take to minimize accidents. You start with following the rules, driving defensively, and ensuring proper vehicle maintenance,” Luna Garcia of A-1 noted.


We believe that driving is a skill that every woman should have. And through this program, we foresee a future where there will no longer be a distinction of gender but only between an educated and misinformed driver.” Garcia added.



Gracing the Women! Drive the Future launch event are International racecar driver Michele Bumgarner, Baby Barangay members Kelly Misa-Fernandez, Patty Laurel-Filart, and Bianca Santiago. Also present at the event is Rowie Abracero, Directress of the Girls Racers club—the first all-female car enthusiast club in the Philippines. Hosted by Riki Flo of Magic 89.9, these gorgeous women opened the discussion about driving out the stereotypes and supporting gender equality on the road.



Later that day during the launch, the lady drivers participated in a hands-on demonstration conducted by A-1 Driving School. Common issues that drivers encounter on the road such as changing tries, dead car battery and lubricant checking were discussed during this activity.


This event is the very first of the planned three activations that will echo the call for women to drive the future. The next “Women! Drive the Future” event will soon take place in Cebu and Davao reaching more Filipina drivers and empowering women across the nation.


I am personally grateful to Pilipinas Shell, for the opportunity to be part of this empowering event. And as a lady driver, the Women Drive the Future campaign is very valuable and has strengthen my confidence on and off the road.

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