IWD 2023: PCW pursues empowerment of women through technology, connectivity


At a glance

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To mark and commemorate the International Women’s Day (IWD), the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) will set up an event.

“[This] will serve as a platform to highlight the issues, concerns, successes, best practices, and programs for women’s empowerment and gender equality on digital connectivity and innovation, creating opportunities for all by enabling and utilizing information and communications technology (ICT),” said PCW, adding that it will be held in Taguig on Wednesday, March 8.

While it aims to highlight the “social, cultural, political, and economic achievements” of women, the event also seeks to address the sector’s vulnerabilities. Not only that, the celebration aims to discuss ways on how to eradicate all forms of gender-based violence and ensure the protection of Filipinas across the nation.

This year, PCW pursues the empowerment of women and girls through technology and connectivity.

With the theme DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality, the commission’s event targets to raise awareness on current digital education initiatives in the country and inspire young people to create safe and peaceful digital spaces.

Through the whole-day event, PCW will also present an update on the status of programs spearheaded by UN Agencies in the field of technology and innovation to promote gender equality.

Despite the prevailing violence against women and girls, the commission hinted that changes are slowly being made. Citing data from the UN Development Programme's Gender Development Index, PCW disclosed that the Philippines' pursuit for gender equality has "improved."

“The country currently has a GDI value of 0.990. [It is] +0.004 points higher than in 2021,” said PCW, explaining that the closer the ratio is to 1, the smaller the “gap” between women and men in the country.