Key Points
- The International Women’s Day celebrations hosted by Adhika, Inc. focused on the theme ‘DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality’.
- Challenges relating to technology and innovation continue to affect women and girls in their careers, education and governance.
- The number of women on the Boards of ASX-listed companies grew from 8.3 per cent in 2009 to 26.2 per cent in 2017. However, Australia only ranked 35th on a global index measuring gender equality.
“Online violence forces Women and girls to self-censor use of digital platforms, limiting their ability to engage and participate virtually.” Credit: energepic.com via Pexels
Challenges
She also adds, “[T]his limits not only your digital empowerment, but also the transformative power of technology as a whole.
Philippine Ambassador to Australia, Ma Hellen De La Vega (middle) is among the five panellists for the IWD 2023 Forum which discusses the challenges and issues facing women and girls relating to innovation and technology. Credit: SBS Filipino/AViolata
“Online violence forces women and girls to self-censor use of digital platforms, limiting their ability to engage and participate virtually.
The Filipino diplomat is hopeful that everyone can use the power of technology to create change and to influence others to advocate for a more gender-equal society.
Trade and economic interest
Alma Argayoso, the Philippine Special Trade Representative to Australia, stresses that the Philippines needs to continue improving its trade and economic interests with Australia.
Philippine Special Trade Representative to Australia Alma Argayoso (middle) with Adhika Inc president Josie Musa (left) and NARRA Cooperative Inc president and Flagcom & Friends co-founder Albert Prias, during the International Women’s Day celebration in Sydney. Credit: SBS Filipino/AViolata
She says, “It is in the context of the challenges that we face, particularly women but also men, in today’s business environment post-pandemic.
“It also fits with the Philippines’ upskilling, upscaling and upgrading the capacity of the country’s small, medium and micro-enterprises through digital transformation to enable them to reach wider communities and markets.”
Women in governance
The architectural historian, award-winning author and biographer has been living in Australia for the past 48 years. She moved to the country from the Philippines when she was 24.
Dr Zeny Edwards OAM, centre, with Josie Musa of Adhika Inc., had been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for her community service and heritage preservation. Credit: SBS Filipino/AViolata
Data shows that there was a positive development in women leading Australian companies.
The current president of the Institute for Global Peace and Sustainable Governance has also served as a former chair of UN Women Australia NSW Chapter also served as president of the National Trust of Australia (NSW) and a trustee of Women’s Plans Foundation, a charitable trust which advocates a family planning component for all overseas aid programs in the Asia Pacific Region.
