On September 3, 2020, NARTDI Gender and Development (GAD) advocates joined in a webinar titled, “Women Entrepreneurs Amidst COVID-19 – Boom or Bane?” hosted by the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) based in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Dr. Venelyn Bersamira, Head of General Administrative and Support Services; Ms. Rolyne Mae Pajarillo, GAD Focal Person; and Mr. Rizalde Claro, GAD Alternate, actively participated in the said online seminar. Resource persons namely, Ms. Ratha Chea, Founder and CEO of Khmum Technology (Cambodia); Ms. Phi Van Nguyen, Chairwoman of Vietnam Angel Network (Vietnam); Ms. Laurentia Lisa, CEO of Cyber Olympus (Indonesia); and Ms. Deanna Morris, Programme Management Officer of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), discussed the dramatic impact of the pandemic particularly on women. 

The speakers emphasized that our battle against an unseen enemy is affecting everybody but is giving us all challenges and opportunities to reflect, get back, and transform ourselves. It is evident that COVID-19 is causing travel disruptions among other restrictions that disturb the supply chain. Nevertheless, the pandemic is getting us closer to Industry 4.0 as more information technology solutions and platforms are now being maximized with the boom of e-commerce that brings not only self-confidence but also economic stability. It is also cultivating our innovativeness and creativity that results in the acceleration of start-up micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) now saturating the online market with various products and services made through the world wide web.  

Ms. Chea highlighted that “Investing in women is not a charity but rather, an opportunity.” Despite the threats of widening digital gaps, the United Nations encourages us to see SARS-CoV-2 as a catalyst towards an enabling environment that empowers through digitalization and digitization, and will offer more windows for women to embark on entrepreneurial journeys. (RMPajarillo)