Bridging the Digital Divide:
Policymakers Unite for Gender-Responsive ICT
Key officials and personnel from national government agencies and GOCCs convene to take part in the Gender-Responsive ICT Training for Policymakers and Regulators with GSMA.
With millions of individuals, especially women, still excluded from the digital world, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) spearheaded the ‘Gender-Responsive ICT Training for Policymakers and Regulators’ on November 7, 2025, in Pasay City, Metro Manila. This pivotal training was made possible through the partnership with GSMA, which facilitated the Addressing the Digital Divide Capacity Building Course, bringing together 56 participants from various national government agencies and government owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs).
The government agencies were the Office of the Deputy Executive Secretary for Legal Affairs (ODESLA), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Tourism (DOT), Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPO PHL), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Social Security System (SSS), Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and National Privacy Commission (NPC).
Key officials take part in the Bridging Digital Divide Training Course.
DILG Assistant Secretary for Human Resource Development Josephine F. Cabrido Leysa, CESO III; DOST ASec for Administrative and Legal Affairs Diana L. Ignacio; GSIS OIC-Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Strategic Advisory Rachel T. Edjan; and PCW Deputy Executive Director for Operations Anita E. Baleda also actively participated in the workshop and plenary discussions.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla addressing representatives from key government bodies during her opening remarks.
In her opening message, PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla delivered a powerful statement: “A connected woman is a woman with power – power to learn, to earn, to lead, and to transform herself and her community.” She underscored the significant gender gap in digital connectivity and called on the present government representatives to craft policies that integrate gender perspectives into ICT development, ensuring that digital progress benefits everyone, especially women. Chairperson Valdeavilla shared compelling data, noting that “According to UN Women, closing the gender digital divide could benefit 343 million women and girls worldwide, lift 30 million out of poverty, and generate $1.5 trillion in global GDP growth by 2030.” She concluded her speech with heartfelt gratitude to the participants and a powerful call to action: to step forward as architects of a digitally inclusive Philippines.
Bridging the Gap in Women’s Connectivity
GSMA Senior Advocacy Manager Anne Shannon Baxter led a session on the state of digital connectivity in the Philippines, sparking a lively discussion on addressing the digital divide.
GSMA Senior Advocacy Manager Anne Shannon Baxter presented the analysis of the state of digital connectivity in the Philippines. While the country has made significant progress in reducing the gender gap in mobile internet adoption, she emphasized that digital exclusion remains a significant challenge, particularly for those who do not have and cannot afford the needed devices. This observation sparked a dialogue among participants, who examined the root causes of the digital divide and shared their respective efforts to address these disparities.
DILG noted their collaboration with DICT on E-Governance. This initiative supports local government units (LGUs) in collecting gender-sensitive data and implementing gender-responsive programs. By providing LGUs with the necessary tools and resources, DILG ensures that local leaders can effectively address the unique needs of women in their communities.
PCW also shared its whole-of-government approach to gender mainstreaming, which ensures that gender equality is embedded in all public policies and programs, including digital services. Chairperson Valdeavilla underscored the pivotal and enabling roles of Gender and Development (GAD) budgets and the need to allocate these resources to initiatives that specifically support women’s digital inclusion.
Snaps during the Gender-Responsive ICT Training for Policymakers and Regulators.
During the open forum, Ms. Jocelyn Balanag of CHED highlighted several key challenges to women’s digital inclusion that require collective solutions. These included addressing the affordability of smartphones, bridging the digital skills gap, and empowering women to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) for their benefit. Participants also stressed the importance of making digital tools and services more relevant for Indigenous Peoples and those in conflict-afflicted areas. These exchanges presented an opportunity for the body to collaborate and develop actionable strategies to overcome these barriers.
Addressing Risks of Digital Exclusion
One of the key objectives of the activity was to identify critical areas and risks that must be prioritized when crafting gender-responsive ICT policies. PCW Chair Valdeavilla raised the issue of AI misuse, specifically the exploitation of stolen photos and videos for the promotion of sexual messages. The suggestion to develop a model ordinance, with the assistance of DILG, would help LGUs better protect their communities from such abuses.
Another critical concern raised by the DSWD was the reactive nature of current efforts by agencies to address digital security risks. Participants stressed the need for a more standardized, proactive approach to help agencies tackle the various digital security hazards before they even escalate. [Was this a point raised by DSWD? Please mention the agency.
The over-reliance of younger generations on digital devices also emerged as a key challenge. This dependence not only contributes to mental health issues, but also exposes youth to online sexual predators and cyberbullying. Additionally, the spread of misinformation and fake news was identified as a growing concern.
Said key risks and challenges in the digital landscape will serve as guide for policymakers in their respective agencies, as aligned with their mandates, to address these issues and enhance women’s digital inclusion. The PCW will share these recommendations with the DICT.
Exploring Solutions for Digital Inclusion
To address the challenges to digital inclusion, several key solutions were proposed during the session. Participants highlighted the importance of incorporating digital skills into school curriculums and media content to raise awareness about the benefits of digital inclusion. To make devices more affordable, they recommended policies to reduce costs for consumers as well as regulations that improve financial access, such as revisiting taxation and improving local supply chain for computers and mobile devices, subsidy programs, and initiatives that support women’s access to finance.
Given the economic realities in the Philippines, it was also suggested that mobile and internet providers work together to lower service rates, and that loan programs be made available to help people invest in smartphones. Another critical point raised was the need to strengthen local mobile phone manufacturing, which could lower costs and reduce reliance on imports.
Fostering Collaboration
To encourage inter-agency collaboration, participants were tasked to develop action plans to address the digital divide. Key action points include addressing connectivity challenges, particularly in remote areas. The proposed action plans emphasized strengthening cybersecurity laws, launching national awareness campaigns, and advocating for stronger protections against online violence and harassment. Addressing the digital gender gap is also a priority, with proposals for digital literacy programs targeting women, especially homemakers, and the creation of micro-loan programs through cooperatives to help rural community members afford mobile devices.
Further, the importance of making digital platforms accessible to Indigenous Peoples, with localized content and culturally sensitive digital tools was also underscored. The inclusion of digital access in GAD budgets, alongside strengthening government funding for corresponding initiatives, is also central to the action plans. Creating accessible cybercrime reporting channels and expanding public-private partnerships to increase digital literacy and resource mobilization were also suggested by the policymakers and regulators.
DILG Assistant Secretary for Human Resource and Development Josephine F. Cabrido Leysa, CESO III
summarizing the gains from the training, expressing PCW’s gratitude to the participants, and sharing the next steps forward.
Concluding the productive activity, Department of the Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary for Human Resource and Development, Josephine F. Cabrido Leysa, CESO III, expressed her gratitude, saying, “To our participants, thank you for your active engagement. You reminded us that government work, that policy work, is not just technical; it is about human lives.” The DILG is one of the Board Members of the PCW.
The training not only fostered valuable inter-agency collaboration, but also served as an avenue to gather insights that will form part and drive future inter-agency initiatives. These plans are essential in shaping a more inclusive digital landscape, where the digital divide is addressed and women are empowered to thrive in an increasingly connected world.