San Pedro City, Laguna – IN a compelling testament to the power of rehabilitation and human dignity, the Zonta Club of Laguna—led by President Ann Matibag—has brought international recognition to the creativity and resilience of incarcerated women at San Pedro City Jail.
As part of Zonta’s ongoing livelihood and empowerment initiatives, handcrafted bags made by the women detainees were chosen as official tokens for the members of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly 2025 (WAIPA). Created within the walls of the city jail, each bag tells a story of transformation, strength, and hope.
The recipients included prominent female legislators from across Southeast Asia, such as Hon. Ulziisuren Jamsran (UN Women Representative in Indonesia and ASEAN Liaison), Hon. Safiah Salam (Brunei Darussalam), Hon. Lork Kheng (Cambodia), Hon. Dr. Adde Rosi Khoerunnisa (Indonesia), Hon. Madame Thoummaly Vongphachanh (Lao PDR), Hon. Patsarin Ramwong (Thailand), Hon. Nguyen Thanh Cam (Vietnam), Hon. Maria Grou-Mali Barreto (Timor Leste), and Hon. Dato’ Sri Doris Sophia anak Brodi (Malaysia).
Among them, Ambassador Ulziisuren Jamsran was particularly moved. A tireless advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women in vulnerable contexts—including those in conflict with the law—Ambassador Jamsran praised the initiative and placed additional orders to support the women artisans further.
“These bags caught my attention not just because they are stylish and well-crafted, but because each one tells a unique story,” said Ambassador Jamsran. “They are stitched with courage, dignity, and hope. They symbolize resilience and the determination to reclaim agency and purpose, even from behind bars.”
In a heartfelt message to the women of San Pedro City Jail, she shared:
“To all the women courageously walking this path of transformation, I want you to know that your strength does not go unnoticed. Every stitch you make is a step forward. You are not defined by your past but by your ability to grow, to contribute, and to rise. Keep believing in yourselves. The world needs your talent, your resilience, and your voice.”
Zonta Club of Laguna President Ann Matibag also expressed her deep gratitude:
“This initiative reminds us that women—wherever they are—can be powerful agents of change. We are incredibly proud of the women at San Pedro Jail for showing the world that rehabilitation is not only possible, but transformative. With the support of global leaders like Ambassador Jamsran, we aim to expand this program and continue offering these women pathways to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose.”
This project exemplifies Zonta’s global mission: to build a better world for women and girls—one life, one skill, one stitch, and one second chance at a time.
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