MAKATI CITY – The Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) and Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. (AFI) inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) here on Thursday, May 29, in a bid to collaborate in empowering underprivileged women in conflict affected and vulnerable areas with digital skills.

Officials from the OPAPRU, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), and AFI, together with representatives from the Bangsamoro government, UN Women, and Connected Women, gathered to witness and show their support in this novel initiative to capacitate women with the essential skills in artificial intelligence and data annotation.

Uplifting women in the digital space

The signing of the MOU marked another milestone in the national government’s efforts to uplift the lives of women by creating more economic opportunities for them, as well as ensuring their more meaningful and active participation in peacebuilding.

In her welcome remarks, Ms. Ana Margarita Hontiveros-Malvar, Aboitiz Foundation President, explained that Elevate AIDA is a program that enables and empowers women to work without having to leave their homes by opening doors to remote job opportunities, freelancing, and digital entrepreneurship.

“This is really more than just a signing for us. It is a really symbolic step that we take to be closer to that dream…this dream that we have shared with Connected Women, PCW, UN Women, and now our new partner, OPAPRU, is a dream where hopefully every woman has the opportunity to learn, to grow, and to shape her future,” said Malvar.

She underscored that Elevate AIDA is about “transformation and not just about upskilling and technology,” equipping women with digital skills needed in the modern workforce and the digital economies.

“This will give them the confidence to say, ‘Kaya ko rin. May lugar ako sa makabagong mundo,” added Malvar.

“As we aspire together to reach 300,000 women nationwide over the next three (3) years, we are taking that first step today through this signing [of the MOU]…This is a dream that we cannot achieve alone,” she underscored.

In her message of support, PCW Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla, highlighted the milestones that have been achieved in advancing gender equality through technology and the digital space.

Valdeavilla noted that, “the Philippines is the only country in the world with two legislated Gender and Development (GAD) budgets. Hindi na hinahanap ang pera para sa mga kababaihan. Nakatalaga na po ‘yan.”

“The GAD budget of the Philippines…is rooted in a very strong accountability mechanism,” she added, as she highlighted a results-based assessment of the budget.

“May AIDA light a thousand more initiatives across our country. Let it prove that when technology meets determination, when innovation meets inclusion, and when commitment meets action, transformation is not only possible, it eventually becomes the norm,” said Valdeavilla.

Meanwhile, Ms. Nima Duma, Elevate AIDA Beneficiary from Isabela, Basilan, shared how the project had changed her life.

According to Duma, through the AIDA program, she was able to get a flexible job that enabled her to have a sustainable source of income when she had to relocate to a remote area.

Investing in women is investing to peace

In his closing remarks, Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr., emphasized that, “investing in women is an investment to peace.”

“By providing women with digital and technology-based training and income-generating opportunities, we expect this project to boost the household incomes of our beneficiaries, promote women’s leadership, contribute to the long-term stability of communities, and build on the gains of the normalization and resilience-building aspects of peace processes in our country,” said Galvez.

He explained that the Elevate AIDA Project will be rolled out in seven priority regions, including the Bangsamoro and Cordillera regions, which were strategically identified based on the presence of vulnerable populations and ongoing peacebuilding efforts.

Galvez expressed his gratitude to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. whose vision to foster unity and national reconciliation “has served as the bedrock for advancing the peace process in the country.”

He also thanked Special Assistant to the President Antonio Lagdameo, Jr., who has silently worked to ensure that the dividends of peace are truly benefitting the people.

As the designated chair of the National Steering Committee on Women, Peace and Security (NSCWPS), the OPAPRU is committed to advancing the Women, Peace and Security Agenda across the country.

The OPAPRU is spearheading the localization of the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAPWPS) to ensure the meaningful and substantive representation, participation, and leadership of women in the peace process.###