TFGI: Could you share your role at USAID BEACON and provide a brief overview of the project’s focus on enhancing the Philippines’ digital ecosystem?
As the USAID’s BEACON Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GSI) Specialist, my work revolves around collaborating with key public and private partners to integrate gender-responsive practices in various aspects of digital infrastructure, policy development, and cybersecurity. BEACON aims to promote economic growth in the Philippines by improving secure and transparent access to information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure. Through a multi-stakeholder approach, the project addresses institutional capacity, policy enhancements, and infrastructure improvements. Our focus includes integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) activities to accelerate internet connectivity for underserved communities.
TFGI: Why is it crucial to review policies with a gender lens, especially in the context of ICT, and how does BEACON approach this?
In the absence of policy, practices persist. Policy, when present, can institutionalise good practices, while the lack of policies allows ill/bad practices to endure over time and across cultures. The assumption that gender neutrality, especially in ICT, is inclusive is flawed. This is why sex-disaggegated and gender data plays a crucial role in identifying gender-specific barriers or opportunities for improving ICT accessibility. This identifies local and regional concentration in ICT project deployments and sectoral area needs.
As a USAID Project, we acknowledged that spaces are gendered, and practices can be exclusionary. Collaborating with our local partners, we ensure a gender-transformative viewpoint, recognising how open social processes are influenced by structural inequities and imbalances of power, leading to exclusion of particular groups from digital technologies. Through undergoing key processes of participatory consultation, situation analysis and third party review, barriers are unpacked and broken down to bring out the issues and encourage dialogue. Keeping this in mind, we capacitate our key implementing partners on tools, policies and processes to incorporate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) perspectives in ICT-related ordinances, serving as a vital entry point for gender mainstreaming. Gender-responsive ICT policies will tangibly impact the lives of diverse citizens, ensuring inclusive and equitable access, particularly for last-mile vulnerable communities in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA).
TFGI: Can you provide an example of BEACON’s Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives, and how have these initiatives impacted gender-related policies and plans?
At the core of our project, contributing to enhanced connectivity in the country is our GESI integration work. In the Philippines, we are fortunate to have an enabling policy that allocates a minimum of 5% of the government’s total annual budgets for gender programs, projects, and activities. Over the years, USAID BEACON’s work consistently yields outcomes through continuous programmatic technical assistance with our key implementing partner, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), and demand-driven technical assistance to support community network initiatives. Through our collaboration with DICT and other partners, we create spaces to amplify the voices of marginalised groups and support initiatives aiming for equal and inclusive representation in platforms such as ICT development councils, conferences, and roundtable discussions.
Regarding gender-related policies and plans, BEACON facilitated participatory writeshop and hybrid learning sessions for the revision of the 2022 Butuan City GAD Code gender-responsive policies in collaboration with the Committee on Women under the office of Coun. Cherry May G. Busa, Chair of Women and ICT Committees who is the principal author and sponsor of the bill. The workshop involved diverse participants, ensuring multi-sectoral representation. The output harmonised the previous Butuan City GAD Code into a Smart Eco GAD Code based on recommendations from USAID BEACON’s review, focusing on gender responsive, inclusive, digital resilience and safe (GRID RS) strategies. Through the workshop, participants analysed GESI considerations, emphasising the importance of gender-responsive data collection. This approach ensures social impact and prevents the negative consequences of programs, fostering public accountability.
Gender Initiatives by BEACON
Participants during BEACON’s participatory workshop
TFGI: How do the developed guidelines / code specifically address gender-specific challenges or concerns?
The Smart Eco GAD Code aligns with Butuan City’s development imperatives, addressing key barriers affecting women’s mobile internet access. Recommendations include articulating ICT rights as women’s rights, encouraging women-led community networks, tracking responses to unpaid care work, replicating successful initiatives, and incentivising gender and ICT initiatives. Coun. Cherry May G. Busa indicated that the City Government will craft annual gender and development plans aligned with the Smart Eco GAD Code.
TFGI: Is there a plan for adapting the guidelines to evolving technologies and in the digital space?
The Smart Eco GAD Code, approved on October 17, 2023, marked a milestone for Butuan City. It was launched with strong support, and Coun. Cherry May G. Busa emphasised its positive impact on overall policy development. The City Government plans to craft annual gender and development plans aligned with the Smart Eco GAD Code, ensuring continuous adaptation to evolving technologies. The guidelines prioritise inclusivity, cybersecurity, and equitable digital opportunities, reinforcing the commitment to gender-responsive digital governance.
TFGI: What valuable lessons has BEACON learned throughout this process that could benefit similar initiatives?
BEACON’s experience highlights the critical role of internet connectivity in enhancing Filipinos’ quality of life, particularly in last-mile vulnerable communities. The pandemic has accentuated gender gaps in digital inclusion, emphasising the need for measures addressing affordability, knowledge, safety, and access to networks. Key recommendations include revisiting existing legislation, accelerating the National Broadband Plan, promoting open access for last mile connectivity, equitable spectrum management policy and utilising technology for diverse economic opportunities. Collective action is essential, focusing on gender-responsive legislation, availability of gender-disaggregated data, and collaboration among stakeholders for comprehensive digital inclusion.
TFGI: Are there any ongoing or upcoming projects or initiatives related to gender empowerment that BEACON is planning to undertake?
BEACON recently explored collaboration with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to enhance connectivity and provide barrier-free access for persons with disabilities. Recognising the challenges faced by this sector, BEACON aims to foster a non-discriminatory climate and promote intentional ICT programs and support services. Key areas of collaboration include immediate digital services for the disability sector and establishing accessibility standards in government programs, ensuring gender-responsive, equitable, inclusive, safe, and accessible digital transformation benefits for persons with disabilities.
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are solely of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views and position of the Tech for Good Institute and USAID BEACON.
