DIGITALLY EMPOWERED WOMEN. The Connected Women and European Union-United Nations Women are helping Filipina entrepreneurs during the pandemic by equipping them with digital know-how. Through the WE Empower Asia program, women entrepreneurs have access to online workshops and discussions to prepare their businesses under the 'new normal'. (Photo collage from Connected Women)
MANILA – The Connected Women and European Union-United Nations Women have partnered to help Filipina entrepreneurs tap digital technology amid the new business environment due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Through the WE Empower Asia program, the Connected Women, and EU-UN Women target to empower women entrepreneurs by equipping them with digital platform skills.
The partnership prepares a series of talks and panel discussions on offline to online business transition; learning and maximizing digital platforms for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs); opening up networking and business opportunities; teaching and refining information technology skills for women; and tapping online work opportunities.
In a statement Thursday, Connected Women founder Gina Romero said these discussions will help Filipina-led MSMEs to be more prepared for the ‘new normal’.
“We know that there are many women entrepreneurs who need to transition their brick and mortar businesses online and become digital marketing savvy,” Romero said.
She added the pandemic has led many women to want to start their own business as the health crisis is making them feel that their jobs are no longer stable.
Romero also cited online opportunities that can employ women, such as artificial intelligence (AI) data labeling which needs human to do the tagging, classification, moderation, and processing of AI images; executive virtual assistant that provides big businesses customer service, data entry, and internet research works; and remote officers, specialists, and agents.
The workshops will be held on July 8 and 15, talking about industry-specific challenges like in tourism. Participants will also be part of the Connected Women global meetup.
Succeeding events will follow in August, September, and November.
UN Women and WE Empower Asia Philippines country program manager Ma. Rosalyn Mesina said this initiative is in line with promoting inclusive growth by providing more opportunities among women during a pandemic.
WE Empower Asia, which runs in seven Asian countries including the Philippines, is a key initiative aligned with the UN Women’s Commitment under the Women’s Economic Empowerment focus. It is also supported by the EU.
Interested Filipina entrepreneurs can follow updates from the Connected Women Facebook page. (PNA)
