Eastwood City, a flagship Megaworld Lifestyle Mall, made a resounding start to Women’s Month with a bold initiative against gender inequality, partnering with OXFAM Pilipinas. The mall unveiled a comprehensive lineup of inclusive activities curated for all, with a special focus on empowering women, starting on March 1.
Eastwood City formalized its commitment to gender equality by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with OXFAM Pilipinas, led by Executive Director Erica Geronimo, and Atty. Khay Ann C. Magundayao-Borlado of the Philippine Commission on Women. This strategic collaboration aimed to champion equal rights for all genders, particularly women, contributing to the upliftment of society as a whole.
Following the program, a compelling art installation crafted by Jill Arteche, a Muralist affiliated with OXFAM Pilipinas, was unveiled. This thought-provoking masterpiece, created in support of the Gender Equality campaign, graced Eastwood City’s Open Park from March 1 to March 8, 2024.
Jill Arteche, a member of OXFAM Pilipinas, is a visual artist with numerous collaborations with brands such as Nike, Canva, GCash, and Monkey Shoulder. She worked as a graphic designer before becoming a full-time artist, completing a residency program in Illustration & Visual Storytelling at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.
Jill Arteche’s Taking Up Space used acrylic to complete the artwork. Her masterpiece portrayed a call for equality between genders, making more opportunities open, especially for women. “There’s a growing recognition that talent and skill should not be constrained by gender. Now, I’m grateful to see that women artists have learned to assert their presence and claim their rightful spaces, moving away from a perpetual struggle for recognition,” Jill stated after unveiling her mural at Eastwood City’s Breaking BarriHERS event.
The muralist’s goal was to emphasize the gender-related issue to the patrons of Eastwood City, a vibrant diverse community, and motivate women to take the lead fearlessly.
“Through my art, I hoped to kickstart meaningful conversations, motivate action for a safer and healthier environment for all, and foster greater empathy towards the realities of women in our society. Additionally, I sought to empower women to take up space and inspire young girls to embrace leadership in their own unique ways,” Jill Arteche said in an interview.
Eastwood City and OXFAM Pilipinas call on the community to join their bold advocacy against gender inequality. Together, they are amplifying the fight, challenging stereotypes, and breaking barriers. Join the movement to create an inclusive society that celebrates diversity and empowers all genders.