Manila, Philippines – March 8, 2025

In a landmark celebration of International Women’s Day, DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue was recognized as a Distinguished Woman Leader in Digital Literacy at the 2025 International Women’s Assembly. The prestigious event, held at the YWCA Founders Federation Hall in Manila, gathered over 700 women leaders from national and international organizations to honor outstanding contributions to women’s empowerment and advocacy.

The annual event, a powerful convergence of leaders from across the world, was a testament to the resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment of women driving change in their respective fields.

At the heart of this year’s celebration stood Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, a trailblazer in digital transformation and technology-driven empowerment. As the assembly honored her with the Distinguished Woman Leader in Digital Literacy Award, it became clear that her work had not only transformed lives but had also paved the way for a more inclusive, technology-driven future for women across the Philippines.

A Platform for Change

The plenary sessions that followed brought forth some of the country’s most influential voices, tackling key issues that continue to shape women’s roles in society.

Among them, Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue took center stage, delivering an impassioned keynote on “Technological Inclusion: Bridging the Digital Divide for Women”. She spoke of a future where technology is not just a privilege but a right, where digital literacy is as fundamental as reading and writing, and where no woman is left behind in the digital age.

“The digital world should be an equalizer, not a divider,” she declared, her voice carrying through the packed hall. “We must ensure that every woman—regardless of background, economic status, or location—has access to digital tools, education, and opportunities. Only then can we truly claim that we are advancing toward inclusive progress.”

Batapa-Sigue’s work as founder of Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA) was proof of her dedication. Through DIWA, she has led nationwide efforts to equip women in underserved communities with digital skills, launch scholarships and certification programs, and forged partnerships between the public and private sectors to improve digital infrastructure.

Her advocacy for AI governance, ethical technology, and gender-responsive digital policies has positioned her as one of the most influential voices in the country’s ICT landscape.

Recognizing Women Trailblazers

As the awards ceremony unfolded, Batapa-Sigue was recognized alongside 11 other exceptional women, each having carved paths of success in their respective fields.

🏆 Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo – Visionary Leadership for Economic Progress
🏆 Preciosa Soliven, Ph.D. – Education
🏆 Teresita Sy-Coson – Economic Mainstreaming
🏆 Karen Davila – Responsible Journalism
🏆 Jocelle Batapa-Sigue – Digital Literacy
🏆 Cory Quirino – Health & Wellness
🏆 QC Mayor Maria Joy Belmonte – Climate Change Advocacy
🏆 Senator Loren Legarda – Cultural & Environmental Preservation
🏆 PRC Director General Gwendolyn Pang – Disaster Mitigation
🏆 Senator Cynthia Villar – Good Governance & Food Security
🏆 Camille Villar – Youth Policies & Programs
🏆 Dr. Amelita Dayrit-Go – Interfaith Advocacy

Each awardee represented a pillar of strength, resilience, and innovation, their work proving that women’s leadership is indispensable in every sector.

For many in attendance, the event was more than just an awards ceremony—it was a reminder of the journey still ahead. The battle for gender equality in the digital age, the push for greater representation in leadership, and the need for stronger policies to bridge societal gaps were all conversations that needed to continue beyond the walls of the conference hall.

Moving Forward

As Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue sounded a sense of urgency, “This award is not just mine—it belongs to every woman who has ever faced barriers in technology, who has been told she doesn’t belong in STEM, who has struggled to access digital opportunities. We are here today to say: those barriers will no longer define us. We will break them. And we will lead.”

Championing Digital Literacy for Women

Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue was awarded for her exceptional work in promoting digital literacy and inclusion, ensuring that women across all sectors, especially those in underserved communities, have access to the opportunities and tools necessary to thrive in the digital age.

As the founder of Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA), she has spearheaded nationwide initiatives focused on:

✅ Tech upskilling programs for women in remote and marginalized areas
✅ Scholarships and digital certification initiatives to boost employability
✅ Public-private partnerships to expand inclusive digital infrastructure
✅ Advocacy for AI governance, ethical tech, and women’s leadership in ICT
✅ Gender-responsive digital policies that promote equal opportunities

Her work with DIWA has empowered thousands of Filipinas to break barriers in STEM, entrepreneurship, and digital careers, ensuring that more women play active roles in shaping the country’s technology-driven future.

Keynote Address on Bridging the Digital Divide

As part of the assembly, Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue delivered a keynote speech on “Technological Inclusion: Bridging the Digital Divide for Women”. She emphasized the importance of digital access, innovation, and policy-driven solutions in securing women’s full participation in the digital economy and ICT sector.

“Digital transformation should leave no woman behind. We must ensure that technology becomes an equalizer, not a divider. By equipping women with digital skills, we empower them to become leaders, innovators, and change-makers in a rapidly evolving world,” she stated.

Her powerful message resonated with attendees, which included ASEAN Confederation of Women’s Organizations, Global Peace Women Foundation, National Council of Women of the Philippines, Inner Wheel Clubs of the Philippines, Zonta International, and the United Nations Association of the Philippines, among many other distinguished groups.

A Call to Action for Inclusive Digital Policies

The award solidifies Undersecretary Batapa-Sigue’s role as a trailblazer in digital empowerment. As a TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service) Awardee, her advocacy continues to push for:

📌 Stronger gender-inclusive digital policies
📌 Multi-sectoral collaboration to bridge the digital divide
📌 Greater women’s leadership in shaping the future of technology

Her vision is clear: a digitally inclusive Philippines where women and girls have equal opportunities to innovate, create, and lead in the digital space.

For Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, for every awardee, and for every woman in attendance, the message of the night was clear—the future is digital, and women will be at the forefront of shaping it.

What is DIWA?

Digital Innovation for Women Advancement (DIWA) is an initiative founded by DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue that focuses on empowering women through digital literacy, technology-driven entrepreneurship, and ICT leadership. The program aims to bridge the gender gap in the digital space by equipping women with the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven world.

Key Goals of DIWA:

✅ Digital Upskilling: Providing training programs on ICT, coding, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies for women, especially those in underserved communities.
✅ Scholarships & Certifications: Offering digital training scholarships and globally recognized certifications to enhance employability.
✅ Public-Private Partnerships: Collaborating with government agencies, tech companies, and educational institutions to expand digital access for women.
✅ AI & Ethical Tech Advocacy: Promoting policies that ensure women play a key role in AI governance, cybersecurity, and ethical digital innovations.
✅ Women in Tech Leadership: Encouraging more Filipinas to take active roles in shaping the country’s digital transformation and STEM industries.

Through DIWA, Batapa-Sigue envisions a Philippines where technology serves as an equalizer, empowering women to lead, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to the digital economy.

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What is TOWNS?

TOWNS (The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service) is a prestigious award and organization in the Philippines that recognizes exceptional Filipino women who have made significant contributions to nation-building through excellence in their respective fields.

The TOWNS Award is given every three years to women leaders, professionals, and advocates whose work has positively impacted society. Awardees come from various sectors, including public service, business, education, science and technology, media, arts, and social development.

Why is TOWNS Important?

🏆 Recognizes Female Leadership: Celebrates outstanding Filipinas who have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and advocacy.
🏆 Encourages Nation-Building: Highlights the role of women in solving societal challenges and driving progress.
🏆 Inspires Future Generations: Provides role models for young women aspiring to make a difference in their communities and industries.

As a TOWNS Awardee for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in 2016, Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue joins a distinguished group of women leaders shaping the future of the Philippines, particularly in technology, digital inclusion, and governance. Her recognition in digital literacy advocacy further cements her role as a pioneer in bridging the digital divide for women in the country.

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Both DIWA and TOWNS reflect a commitment to empowering women, ensuring that they have equal access to opportunities, resources, and leadership roles in an evolving society. Through DIWA, Batapa-Sigue is building a future where women are at the forefront of digital transformation, and through TOWNS, she continues to be an inspiration for women nationwide. 🚀💻🌍

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