APEC 2020 to unlock more women’s participation in digital economy

By ANIS FARHANAH MALEK
anisfarhanah@dagangnews.com

KUALA LUMPUR 1 Oct. - Despite women representing the majority of workers and entrepreneurs, their participation is still lacking in the digital economy.

Hence, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) acknowledges the pressing need to bridge the digital divide for women participating in the digital economy, particularly in light of the pandemic.

“In keeping with the APEC 2020 priority of Inclusive Economic Participation through Digital Economy and Technology, we strongly urge economies to support women’s economic participation through advancing appropriate digital infrastructure, connectivity, and skills training, while promoting women and girls in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), including by reducing biases as well as discrimination against them.

“Recognising the critical role that data play in measuring gaps and women’s economic empowerment, we commit to intensifying efforts to collect, analyse, disseminate, and use sex-disaggregated data as a core foundation of evidence based policies and their implementation. 

“We welcome the regular reporting on the APEC Women and the Economy Dashboard as an important tool to inform policy-making and capacity building across the region,” said the 2020 APEC Women and The Economy Forum statement in conjunction with 2020 Virtual High Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy (VHLPDWE) meeting.

VHLPDWE was chaired yesterday by the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development of Malaysia with the theme 'Advancing Women's Economic Empowerment to Strengthen Post-Pandemic Recovery and Resilience'.

Its Minister, Datuk Seri Rina Mohd. Harun in her welcoming remarks strongly urged that APEC strengthens public-private partnership and engagements with industries, with the support from APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) to work towards this cause. 

“To this end, I believe that the La Serena Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth serves as an important guide until 2030. 

“I commend efforts by Chile and Malaysia as co-partners, together with all economies in developing the Implementation Plan of the La Serena Roadmap. 

“I understand that discussions are on-going towards finalising the plan soon, and I must thank everyone for working tirelessly which can be seen from the significant progress achieved thus far. It will undeniably further propel the women agenda in APEC,” she concluded. - DagangNews.com