Bags crafted in jail reach global leaders

SAN PEDRO CITY, Laguna — In a powerful demonstration of rehabilitation and dignity, the Zonta Club of Laguna, under the leadership of president Ann Matibag, has brought global 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 women detainees were presented as official tokens to members of the Coordinating Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly 2025 (Waipa) in Malaysia. Each bag, meticulously stitched within the confines of the jail, carries a story of strength, transformation, and hope.

Among the distinguished recipients of the finely crafted bags were Ulziisuren Jamsran, Representative and Liaison to Asean UN Women; Safiah Salam (Brunei Darussalam); Lork Kheng (Cambodia); Dr. Adde Rosi Khoerunnisa (Indonesia); Madame Thoummaly Vongphachanh (Lao PDR); Patsarin Ramwong (Thailand); Nguyen Thanh Cam (Vietnam); Maria Grou-Mali Barreto (Timor Leste); and Dato' Sri Doris Sophia anak Brodi (Malaysia).

Ambassador Ulziisuren Jamsran, UN women representative in Indonesia and liaison to Asean who champions gender equality and empowerment for marginalized women, was deeply moved by the project. Not only did she admire the craftsmanship, but she also placed an additional order to further support the women artisans.

"These bags immediately caught my attention because each one tells a unique story," she said. "They are not just products; they are symbols of resilience, courage, and hope. Every stitch represents a woman reclaiming her dignity and purpose."

She left an inspiring message for the women of San Pedro City Jail: "To all the women courageously walking this path of transformation, know that your strength does not go unnoticed."

She added: "Every stitch you make is a step forward. You are not defined by your past but by your ability to grow, contribute, and rise. Keep believing in yourselves. The world needs your talent, resilience, and voice."

Zonta's Mission in Action president Ann Matibag expressed pride in the initiative, saying the "project reminds us that women — wherever they are — can be agents of change."

"The women of San Pedro Jail prove that rehabilitation is not just possible but powerful. With the support of global leaders like Ambassador Jamsran, we hope to expand this program and create even more opportunities for these women to rebuild their lives with purpose and pride."

The Bag-It-Forward initiative embodies Zonta's mission: building a better world for women and girls — one life, one skill, one stitch, and one second chance at a time.