MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The Association of Business Women in Commerce and Industry (ABWCI) recently organized the International Women’s Summit in Manila on April 15, 2023, at the Astoria Plaza. The summit had an overarching theme of “Women in Leadership,” with the objective of introducing ABWCI to the business community in the Philippines and highlighting women entrepreneurs and organizations in the country.
ABWCI is a virtual global chamber of commerce for women, bringing together a community of prominent women entrepreneurs, organizations, educational institutions, and companies investing in women. The association believes in the transformative power and vital role of women in business and understands the significant impact they have on driving economic growth and employment generation. ABWCI is currently active in 28 countries worldwide and continues to grow with every passing day.
The International Women’s Summit was attended by delegates from Singapore and India and some government officials and companies in the private sectors. The summit was graced by the presence of distinguished guests, including Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa Sigue, who expressed her support for ABWCI’s mission and vision of empowering women in business. She also shared about the Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA).
DIWA aims to encourage the development of programs for capacity building, skills development, and employment of women and men equally in the field of ICTd, including at senior levels of responsibility in
telecommunication/ICT administrations, government and regulatory bodies and intergovernmental organizations and in the private sector; attract more women and girls to study for and to pursue STEM careers, and acknowledge the achievements of leading women in these fields, particularly in innovation; and encourage and support more women to take advantage of the opportunities offered by ICTs to establish and develop businesses and to foster potential contributions to economic growth.
During the summit, the keynote speaker, Lilian Ong from Singapore spoke about the importance of women’s leadership in the business sector and how ABWCI can help women entrepreneurs reach their full potential. The summit also showcased successful women entrepreneurs and organizations in the Philippines and provided a platform for networking and collaboration among women in business. Congresswoman Mercedes Alvarez-Lansang of the 6th District of Negros Occidental also shared her insights as a woman policy maker and leader.
ABWCI’s founder and Secretary General presented the association’s initiatives and programs to support women entrepreneurs and promote gender equality in business. The summit ended with a call to action for women to join ABWCI and be part of a community of successful, powerful, and influential women in business.
DICT Undersecretary Atty. Jocelle Batapa Sigue, one of the distinguished guests, expressed her appreciation for ABWCI’s efforts in empowering women in business and highlighted the importance of supporting women entrepreneurs to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities. She emphasized the need for more initiatives that promote gender equality in business and encouraged women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the resources and opportunities provided by ABWCI.
The International Women’s Summit was a resounding success, with participants inspired and motivated to take action towards empowering women in business. ABWCI’s mission and vision of promoting gender equality in business have gained momentum, and the association looks forward to expanding its reach and impact in the years to come.
Jocelle Batapa Sigue 