In commemoration of the International Women's Day last March, the Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Amanda Gorely announced further grants to women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

"Through the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), we will support a further seven Filipina entrepreneurs to develop their businesses with funding of up to PHP5.8 million (AUD175,000)," said Ambassador Gorely. This follows the launch on 29 February 2016 of a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Strategy by Foreign Minister Julie Bishop which establishes these objectives as core priorities in Australia’s foreign and trade policy and its development program.