Boon or bane: The impact of digital economy on women

Part 1 - Lead Organizer

Contact Person

Liza Samonte Garcia

Organization / Affiliation (Please state "Individual" if appropriate)

Foundation for Media Alternatives

Designation

Executive Director

Gender

Female

Economy of Residence

Philippines

Primary Stakeholder Group

Civil Society

Part 2 - Session Proposal

Your proposal is for

Main Conference (Day 1-3)

Session Title

Boon or bane: The impact of digital economy on women

Track

Inclusion

Session Format

Fireside Chat

Where do you plan to organize your session?

Virtual / online

Specific Issues for Discussion

The session will discuss women's inclusion in the digital economy. As the Asia Pacific region gets more connected, our economies will become more digitized. At present, e-commerce is picking up in many of the countries in the region. Digital trade agreements are being signed by specific countries in the region. The digital economy holds so much for us – it drives innovation, fuels job opportunities, and economic growth. But when we locate women in the Asia-Pacific region in the digital economy, how do they fare? This session will have a conversation on the different issues that women in different sectors face in the digital economy, including the barriers prevent them from engaging in it and maximizing its benefits. It will try to examine how women's bodies, voices and agencies are affected and impacted by the digital economy.

Describe the Relevance of Your Session to APrIGF

The session falls under the theme Inclusion, specifically women's inclusion in the digital economy. The AP region continues to benefit from digital transformation - through the digital platforms, big data, AI, the creation of new jobs and opportunities, etc. There are many prospects and opportunities available to women. But we also have to realize that not all countries in Asia Pacific are equal and not all have the potential to harness digital technology for development due to poor infrastructure, low skills, and other barriers, which also affect women's engagement in the digital economy. These are some of the issues that have to be raised and discussed at the APrIGF.

Methodology / Agenda

The methodology is something similar to a fireside chat, but this one will have more than one guest. This is like having an informal conversation among feminists on locating women in the digital economy. Experiences and perspectives of women from different economies in the Asia Pacific will be shared, discussed and fleshed out. Introduction of the topic and guests - 5 minutes Conversation - 32 minutes Participation of audience / Feedback on the conversation - 25 minutes Wrap up - 3 minutes

Please provide 3 subject matter tags that best describe your session.

#DigitalEconomy #Inclusion

Moderators & Speakers Info (Please complete where possible)

Please explain the rationale for choosing each of the above contributors to the session.

Ms. Paclarin is a feminist and human rights advocate. Her organization has been engaged in several studies and researches on women's human rights, including violence against women. Recently, they have been exploring the issue of feminist economic justice in the digital economy through a series of discussions. Her organization serves as the Secretariat of the Weaving Women's Voices in Southeast Asia of WEAVE. We are still in the process of inviting other feminists to join us in this discussion.