1. Outputs:

DIWA will provide the following outputs and knowledge products:

4.1  Pre-Event Survey:

Prior to the workshop, we will present findings from a pre-event survey (Output 3), which aims to identify effective strategies and potential barriers impacting gender equality in the digital workforce within APEC economies. This analysis will provide an empirical foundation to direct the workshop's discussions towards the most relevant and impactful issues.

The survey's results will be showcased at the workshop's onset, guiding the discourse on policy and strategic development. By highlighting trends and successful initiatives, as well as areas needing improvement, the survey will ensure a targeted and collaborative approach to refining policies and strategies that support the advancement of women in ICT within APEC economies.

Participants of the Workshop:

The Workshop aims to engage a diverse group of stakeholders beyond the officials from APEC travel-eligible economies (TEE). Targeted audiences include:

1. Senior policymakers from ministries such as the Ministry/Department of Information and Communication Technology, Ministry/Department of Education, Ministry/Department of Women's Affairs, and other relevant governmental departments that influence gender-inclusive policies.

2. Industry leaders and corporate executives from ICT companies, particularly those with a focus on diversity and inclusion, to share insights on corporate strategies and industry standards.

3. Academic and research institutions with programs and initiatives dedicated to gender studies, technology, and policy development, to provide research-based insights and potential academic collaborations.

4. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and advocacy groups that work on women's rights, digital inclusion, and ICT empowerment, for their grassroots perspectives and ability to mobilize communities.

5. International development organizations involved in gender equality and technology, to contribute global perspectives and resources.

6. Representatives from multilateral institutions such as the United Nations (UN), particularly those associated with the UN Women and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for their expertise in international policy and gender initiatives.

7. Educators and trainers from technical and vocational institutions who are instrumental in shaping the ICT skills of women.

8. Entrepreneurs and innovators in the tech industry, especially women, to provide personal experiences and entrepreneurial challenges and successes in ICT.

4.2  Workshop on Strategic Development for Women in ICT

A 2-day in-person Workshop (Output 1) will be scheduled for June 2024 in Manila, Philippines, with virtual attendance options to extend wider reach. This workshop will delve into the evaluation and enhancement of women's roles within ICT across APEC economies. In the Workshop, the speakers/experts may present remotely, but all the participants shall attend in person.

Eligibility and Participation:

Each APEC travel-eligible economy may nominate one individual with significant policy-making experience to attend in person, with APEC providing travel support.

Agenda Highlights:

- Analysis of current policy frameworks affecting women in ICT.

- Formulation of tactics to bolster female participation in ICT.

- Initiatives for branding, marketing, and advocacy to promote women in ICT.

- Compilation and examination of best practices for female inclusion in ICT

Workshop Agenda: Digital Innovation for Women Advancement for APEC Economies

Day 1: Strategic Policy Frameworks and Development for Women in ICT

Morning Session:

08:30 - 09:00: Registration and Welcome Coffee

09:00 - 09:30: Opening Remarks and Overview of Workshop Objectives

09:30 - 10:00: Keynote Address: "The Current State of Women in ICT Across APEC Economies"

10:00 - 10:30: Coffee Break and Networking

10:30 – 11:00: Presentation of APEC Economies Pre-Event Survey

11:00 – 12:00: Panel Discussion: Analyzing Policy Frameworks Affecting Women in ICT

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch Break and Networking

Afternoon Session:

13:00 - 14:30: Breakout Session: Identifying Policy Gaps and Opportunities

14:30 - 14:45: Coffee Break and Networking

14:45 - 16:00: Workshop: Formulating Strategies to Increase Female Participation in ICT

16:00 - 17:30: Roundtable: From Policy to Action: Setting Tangible Goals

Evening:

17:30 - 18:00: Day 1 Wrap-Up

18:00 - 20:00: Networking Dinner

Day 2: Branding, Marketing, Advocacy, and Best Practices

Morning Session:

08:30 - 09:00: Arrival and Informal Networking

09:00 - 10:30: Interactive Seminar: Creating Powerful Branding and Marketing Campaigns for Women in ICT

10:30 - 10:45: Coffee Break and Networking

10:45 - 12:00: Expert-Led Workshop: Advocacy for Women in ICT: Crafting the Message and Medium

Afternoon Session:

12:00 - 13:00: Lunch Break

13:00 - 14:30: Collaborative Workshop: Designing and Implementing Effective Advocacy Programs

14:30 - 14:45: Coffee Break and Networking

14:45 - 16:00: Case Study Presentations: Best Practices for Female Inclusion in ICT

16:00 - 17:00: Group Activity: Stocktake and Review - Consolidating Learned Best Practices"

Closing Session:

17:00 - 17:30: Final Session for Recommendations: Building a Roadmap for Digital Innovation in Women's Advancement

17:30 - 18:00: Closing Remarks and Acknowledgments

Documentation and Evaluation:

Proceedings will be documented for a comprehensive white paper report (Output 3). Post-event, we will conduct post-event evaluation to measure the workshop's impact, identify enhancement opportunities, and collect feedback from participants right after the workshop. Recording the project event is not for dissemination, and consent shall be required from the participants and experts that the Workshop is recorded for note-taking purpose only.

4.3. White Paper on Best Practices in APEC economies for increasing participation of women and girls in ICT through strategic policies and frameworks (Workshop Documentation)

The white paper which will be published as an APEC publication will contain a thorough evaluation of exemplary practices from APEC economies that have effectively increased the engagement of women and girls in the ICT sector, while also confronting structural and systemic participation barriers. It will scrutinize strategic policies and frameworks that have proven effective in fostering inclusivity across diverse sectors. The goal of this paper is to distill actionable insights and frameworks that could be tailored and adopted by various entities seeking to replicate these successes coming from the results of the workshop and pre-event survey.

This critical document will dissect and articulate the strategies and policies that have yielded the best outcomes in terms of women involvement in ICT within APEC economies. It aims to inform policy development and adoption that can integrate gender equality as a norm and amplify female presence in the ICT field. The DIWA initiative plans to conduct a literature review and study analysis for secondary data, complemented by primary data from a processed compilation of documentation and materials from the 2-day Workshop.

The white paper which shall be not less than twenty (20) pages – excluding annexes, will feature several key sections: (i) Background and Introduction, detailing the context and objectives; (ii) Current Status of Women's STEM and ICT Participation in APEC Economies, offering a statistical and analytical overview; (iii) Best Practices and Strategic Approaches for Encouraging Women's Involvement in STEM and ICT; (iv) A Comprehensive Report of the 2-day Workshop, covering both preparatory stages and follow-up events; and (v) A consolidation of Documented Outputs, Learnings, and Strategic Recommendations.

5  Outcomes:

The project is designed to achieve the following outcomes:

a) Increased participants’ knowledge on women participation in the ICT sector and gender-inclusive policies/frameworks across APEC economies.

b) Improved participants’ understanding on the structural barriers that prohibit women and girls from accessing ICT opportunities, pursuing ICT careers and developing ICT businesses;

c) Enhanced participants’ capacity to develop relevant policies and strategies that address gender (in)equalities in the digital workforce in their economy and the participation of women and girls in ICT.

Measurement of Outcomes

Project will begin with baseline data collection on participants' initial knowledge and capacities and will ensure regular monitoring and evaluation to track progress accurately.

1. Increased Knowledge on Women's Participation in ICT: This will be measured by the conduct pre- and post-training assessments to measure knowledge gains, and participant perceptions. Project will implement follow-up surveys to evaluate knowledge retention and application.

2. Improved Understanding of Structural Barriers in ICT: This entails requiring participants to analyze case studies on structural barriers through process of sharing, group discussions and reporting on their insights, and subsequently post-event survey and qualitative interviews for deeper understanding.

3. Enhanced Capacity for Policy Development: This will be measured by the number and quality of policy proposals addressing gender inequalities as result of the projects, detailed implementation plans for these policies, and long-term impact studies to assess policy effectiveness.

1.  Ex-Ante and Ex-Post Evaluations:

Pre-Workshop Survey (Ex-Ante Evaluation): Conduct a baseline survey to assess participants' initial knowledge and understanding of the workshop's key topics. This will include questions about their awareness of women's participation in ICT, understanding of structural barriers, and existing strategies to address gender inequalities in their economy.

Post-Workshop Survey (Ex-Post Evaluation): Similar to the pre-workshop survey, this will gauge the change in participants' knowledge and understanding after the workshop. Comparing pre- and post-workshop responses will provide quantitative data on the workshop's effectiveness.

2.  Specific Evaluation Questions:

We will include questions that ask participants to identify specific best practices or recommendations from the workshop that they find most relevant and applicable to their economy. This will help in understanding the practical applicability of the workshop content. Questions could be framed to gauge how the workshop may have changed their perspective or approach to addressing gender (in)equalities in the digital workforce.

3. Follow-Up Assessment:

A follow-up assessment, conducted a few months after the workshop, can provide insights into the long-term impact of the workshop. This could involve a short survey or interviews to determine if participants have implemented any strategies or best practices in their respective economies and any challenges or successes they have encountered.

4.  Qualitative Feedback:

We will encourage open-ended feedback in both pre- and post-workshop surveys to capture nuanced insights and personal reflections on the workshop’s impact, as well as facilitate a post-workshop virtual discussion forum or focus group to gather detailed qualitative feedback.

5. Case Studies and Success Stories:

The project will collect and document case studies or success stories post-workshop, where participants have successfully applied learned concepts or strategies in their economies.

6   Beneficiaries:

Primary Beneficiaries:

The primary beneficiaries are a diverse group of individuals actively involved in policymaking, advocacy, and implementation of gender equality initiatives in the ICT sector within APEC economies. These include:

1. Key Policymakers: These are government officials and representatives from various APEC economies, particularly those from ministries or departments focusing on technology, gender equality, and education. They possess the authority to influence and enact policies that promote women's participation in ICT.

2. Gender Equality Advocates: Individuals and leaders from various sectors, including non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international organizations, who are dedicated to advocating for gender equality in the digital sphere.

3. Women in ICT: This group comprises women actively engaged in the ICT industry and academia. They bring firsthand experience and insights into the challenges and opportunities within the sector.

4. Civil Society Members: Representatives from civil society organizations that focus on women’s rights and gender equality.

5. Female Youth Leaders: Young women leaders, particularly those with a focus on technology and innovation, are crucial for cascading knowledge and fostering gender mainstreaming in their communities.

Secondary Beneficiaries:

Secondary beneficiaries extend beyond the immediate participants of the workshop to a broader audience, including:

1. Domestic and Local Government Units (LGUs): LGUs can use the insights and strategies developed in the workshop to implement local initiatives that encourage women's participation in ICT.

2. Academic Institutions: Universities and educational bodies can benefit from the project by integrating the learnings into their curriculum and educational programs, thereby preparing a more gender-inclusive future workforce in ICT.

3. ICT Organizations and Businesses: These entities can utilize the outcomes of DIWA to refine their policies and practices, fostering a more inclusive and diverse workplace.

4.Community Members and the General Public: As gender-inclusive policies and practices in ICT evolve and improve, the broader community stands to gain from increased diversity and innovation in the sector.

Utilization and Benefits:

Primary beneficiaries will use the knowledge, strategies, and networks gained from DIWA to enact and advocate for policies, implement practical initiatives, and enhance awareness about gender equality in ICT. Secondary beneficiaries will benefit indirectly through the trickle-down effect of improved policies, increased awareness, and the promotion of gender equality in the ICT sector, leading to a more inclusive and equitable digital landscape across APEC economies.