Administrasyon ni PBBM, palalakasin ang mga kababaihan sa pamamagitan ng ICT education, skills training – DICT

MAYROONG mga programa ang administrasyong Marcos na naglalayong turuan at paghusayin ang kasanayan ng mga kababaihang Filipina ukol sa information and communications technology (ICT).

Isang paraan ito upang  mabigyan ng kapangyarihan ang mga kababaihang Filipina,  ayon kay Patricia Nicole Uy, head executive assistant (HEA) ng Kalihim ng  Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), tumayong kinatawan ng 67th session ng  United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) sa New York.

Sa isang kalatas sa idinaos na  UNCSW67 Interactive Dialogue with Youth Representatives on the Priority Theme, sinabi ni Uy na nakompleto kamakailan ng Pilipinas ang  first-ever national survey na naglalayong makalikha ng baseline data ukol sa “access, use at skills” ng mga kababaihan sa ICT.

“It identified where women are currently underrepresented in the ICT sector and tailor our efforts accordingly. We also launched the Digital Innovation for Women Advancement Program,” ani Uy sabay sabing noong nakaraang taon, nagsanay ang pamahalaan ng 94,000 kababaihan sa 1,100 capability development activities gaya ng web at software development, blockchain at  cybersecurity.

“As we move forward, we will continue to work to ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the opportunities that digitalization can offer. With a focus on inclusivity and accountability, we hope to continue to serve the Filipino youth and women by empowering them in this new digital world,” dagdag na pahayag ni Uy.

At para ma-improve ang digital literacy, sinabi ni Uy na ang  DICT ay ng-aalok ng ICT training, programming para sa mga bata, physical at online learning platforms at cybersecurity certifications at maging ang pagpapasa, pag-aabot o pagbibigay ng laptops at tablets.

Sa kabila ng napakalaking benepisyo ng digitalisasyon, madalas na hindi ito nagagamit lalo na sa mga bansang may mababang antas ng  digital literacy.

Binigyang halimbawa ni Uy ang Pilipinas kung saan mayroong 82.7% ng populasyon ang mayroong Facebook account, tanging 8% lamang ng mga Filipino na may edad na  15 pataas ang  mayroong basic ICT skills.

“Those exposed to social media at a young age tend to follow trends blindly, due to the ‘Fear Of Missing Out’ which usually leads to personal data being collected without their knowledge,” ayon kay Uy.

“Therefore, it is crucial not only to provide access to technology but also to educate users on how to use it safely and responsibly,” dagdag na wika ni Uy.

Tinukoy pa ni Uy na may  53.7% ng Filipino Facebook users ay mga kababaihan at “at a higher risk of experiencing various forms of abuse” gaya ng sexual harassment at cyberbullying, pinagtibay ang kahalagahan ng pagpo-promote ng “safe at inclusive digital spaces.”

Samantala, ang United Nations Observance ng IWD, sa ilalim ng  temang “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality”, kinikilala at ipinagdiriwang ang tagumpay ng mga kababaihan  pagdating sa pagsusulong ng “transformative technology at digital education.”

“The observance explores the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities, and it will also spotlight the importance of protecting the rights of women and girls in digital spaces and addressing online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence.,” ayon sa ulat. (BISHOP JESUS “JEMBA” M. BASCO)