THE Aboitiz Foundation, Connected Women, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have come together to support women’s upskilling in artificial intelligence and data annotation (AIDA) through the ‘Elevate AIDA’ program.
Elevate AIDA is a collaborative effort between the Aboitiz Foundation and Connected Women, seeking to empower women by providing comprehensive digital training, tools, and employment opportunities in the growing digital economy. This partnership with the DILG is a pivotal step in expanding and scaling the program’s impact. The DILG’s involvement includes supporting Elevate AIDA through the identification and endorsement of Local Government Units (LGUs) to participate in their Gender and Development (GAD) programs.
The signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last July 18 formalized this partnership, with the MOU being signed by DILG Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos, Jr., Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz, Aboitiz Foundation President and COO Maribeth L. Marasigan, and Connected Women Co-Founder Ruth Yu-Owen.
During the signing ceremony, Aboitiz emphasized the importance of uplifting and upskilling Filipino women in high-demand tech fields like AI and data annotation. He expressed his commitment to this cause and acknowledged the power of collaboration between Aboitiz Foundation and Connected Women in creating positive change.
DILG Secretary Abalos expressed full support for the program, aligning with the government’s vision of promoting inclusive growth. He called on all local government units, from governors to barangay officials, to endorse the innovations of Connected Women and support the training of women. Secretary Abalos highlighted that supporting this project empowers not only women but also the nation as a whole.
Elevate AIDA prepares women for careers in artificial intelligence and data annotation, connecting graduates to Connected Women’s workforce pool, thereby creating job opportunities and contributing to the growth of local economies.
Connected Women Co-Founder Ruth Yu-Owen expressed gratitude for the partnership with the Aboitiz Foundation and DILG, emphasizing the potential of this collaboration to empower underskilled and disadvantaged Filipino women, leading to a transformative impact on families and communities.
Aboitiz Foundation President and COO Maribeth L. Marasigan described the partnership between Aboitiz Foundation and Connected Women, bolstered by the support of DILG, as a game-changer. She highlighted that joining forces with government entities allows for expanded reach and efforts, creating synergies that amplify the collective mission of women’s empowerment.
Aboitiz Chief Reputation and Sustainability Officer Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar emphasized that uplifting women goes beyond changing individual lives; it transforms societies. With the signing of the MOU, the program not only shapes the future of work but also crafts a narrative of resilience, innovation, and shared prosperity, sowing the seeds of change, one woman, one skill, and one dream at a time.
Toledo City, Cebu Mayor Marjorie Perales, and Isabela City, Basilan Mayor Sitti Djalia Turabin-Hataman shared the success story of Elevate AIDA’s implementation in their respective communities. The pilot program, launched in March 2022 in Toledo City, in collaboration with AboitizPower subsidiary Therma Visayas, Inc., resulted in approximately 80 percent of the trainees securing employment, earning up to 600 pesos per day. Mayor Perales emphasized that this transformative opportunity has been unprecedented for the women of Toledo City and their families.
In Isabela City, Mayor Turabin-Hataman partnered with Connected Women under the LGU’s GAD fund and is currently sponsoring a fourth batch of Elevate AIDA trainees. She recognized the broader benefits of investing in women, as it positively impacts entire families and communities.
Currently, a community of 300 connected women is part of the program, with a target to uplift 300,000 underskilled and disadvantaged women through technology upskilling and income generation initiatives over the next three years. This ambitious goal aligns with the shared vision of creating a brighter and more empowered future for women in the digital age.
