July 20, 2023

Around 300,000 underskilled and disadvantaged women are the target beneficiaries of a program by the Aboitiz Foundation, supported by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), to provide comprehensive digital training and employment opportunities for women over the next three years.

The joint initiative called Elevate AIDA (Artificial Intelligence and Data Annotation) Program was launched Tuesday afternoon, where a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, Aboitiz Group president and chief executive officer Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation president and chief operations officer Maribeth L. Marasigan, and Connected Women co-founder Ruth Yu-Owen highlighting DILG’s support for the project.

Abalos said the program aligns with the government’s strategy to promote inclusive growth for everyone in the country.

“With Elevate AIDA Program, women will have more opportunities in the aspect of technology and more remote work options for inclusive and diverse workplaces. This is a crucial step towards building a more innovative and sustainable workforce for the Philippines’ digital future,” he said.

Specifically, the program will focus on upskilling and reskilling women for future employment, increasing household incomes in urban and remote areas through entrepreneurship, freelancing, and remote work; enabling access to technology and training; and supporting the national digitization project.

Under the program, target beneficiaries will be prepared for work in the AI industry’s data annotation field, equipping them with relevant skills for remote work and professional communication.

Abalos called on local government units (LGUs) to support the program and other initiatives that technologically empower and upskill women.

“Let us remember that our community’s strength lies in our united efforts and shared responsibility. When we support this project [Elevate AIDA], we do not only empower women, we are empowering our nation,” he said.

He likewise commended Aboitiz Foundation and its partner Connected Women for working with the government to improve the lives of women in the Philippines through nationwide technology upskilling and income-generation programs.

Original Article at: https://dilg.gov.ph/news/DILG-supports-Aboitiz-Foundation-program-to-train-300k-underskilled-women-on-AI/NC-2023-1122