Senator Cynthia Villar cited the importance for women to embrace technological advancements.
“This is crucial as we face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the digital age,” Villar said during the 18th Annual General Assembly of the Philippine Federation of Local councils of Women (PFLCW).
“By doing so, we can empower women to become leaders, innovators, and key decision makers in the digital economy,” the veteran legislator added.
“The gender digital divide hinders women’s digital empowerment.”
However, the seasoned lawmaker noted that the gender digital divide hinders women’s digital empowerment.
Globally, 70% of men use the internet compared to 65% of women. In low and middle income countries, she said women are 15% less likely to use mobile internet.
Also, the lady senator said only 24% of women globally enroll in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) courses.
She said this leads to a shortage of skilled workers.
In the Philippines, Villar said this figure is slightly higher at 30-40%, but still insufficient.
“We are missing the potential contributions of over half our population in developing a strong digital economy.”
“We are missing the potential contributions of over half our population in developing a strong digital economy,” she said.
Villar emphasized that addressing this “divide” is very urgent as nearly 90% of jobs will require digital skills by 2025.
“We, in the Philippine Senate, continue our commitment to address the challenges and opportunities in the digital world through various laws and bills,” Villar said.
She said some of them are the following: Republic Act (RA) No. 11293 or the Philippine Innovation Act, RA 11337 or the Innovative Startup Act, RA No. 11967 or the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act or Republic Act No. 11927, RA 11967 or The Internet Transactions Act, RA 11976 or the The Ease of Paying Taxes Act, SB No. 2560: Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act or the AFASA.
