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Belmonte: Pinays can benefit from digitalization

March 20, 2023 Cory Martinez 251 views

FILIPINO women should take advantage of the benefits that digitalization provides in terms of their careers and sources of livelihood.

This was the call of Quezon City Mayor Belmonte to all women in her keynote speech during the recently-held SPARK Philippines’ “Women Forging the Digital Future” event, saying that they will greatly benefit from digitalization, especially when it comes to education, work, business and access to healthcare.

“Digitalization has indeed made education more accessible to women around the world. We now have access to a wider range of courses and educational materials regardless of our location. We can learn new skills to help us advance in our careers,” Belmonte said.

She explained that technology helps create new opportunities for women to participate in the workforce through various means, such as work-from-home (WFH) arrangements that allow them to achieve a work-life balance.

Digitalization also helps women entrepreneurs grow their businesses and reach a wider market through digital tools such as e-commerce platforms and e-wallets.

“Having their own GCash, GrabPay, and Maya accounts, for example, has also enabled women to gain financial freedom, control and power,” Belmonte stressed.

Belmonte further disclosed that the city government has already provided e-commerce and digital package to 1,261 women-owned small and medium entrepreneurs through its various programs, such as the “Tindahan ni Ate Joy” for solo parents, POP QC for women artisans, and QC Essentials for women livelihood groups.

“In order to help some 200 existing artisanal groups, 80% of whom are women, to continue doing business during the pandemic, we published five volumes of Made in QC with QR codes after each featured product, to guide customers in making online purchases through the official Instagram and Facebook accounts of the merchants,” she said.

Aside from facilitating economic activities for women, Belmonte emphasized that digitalization can also aid in helping women access much-needed healthcare, especially for those who live in far-flung areas or have mobility issues.

During the pandemic, the city government utilized an AI system called “BantAI COVID” to monitor the health status of thousands of COVID patients enrolled in its system.

“Patients identified to have worsening health conditions were automatically flagged for treatment via teleconsulting with doctors from the Philippine Medical Association (PMA),” she said.

Further, Belmonte said the city government’s telemedicine program has also helped address the needs of women hounded by mental health issues.

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