Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte over the weekend stressed that women stand to benefit greatly from digitalization especially when it comes to education, work, business and access to healthcare.

Belmonte made the pronouncement in her keynote speech during SPARK Philippines’ “Women Forging the Digital Future” Event, adding that Filipino women should take advantage of the benefits that digitalization provides in terms of their careers and sources of livelihood.

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

Digitalization also helps women entrepreneurs grow their business 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 said.

Recognizing the value of digital financial services, Belmonte said the Quezon City government has 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 percent 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,” Belmonte said.