International Women’s Day (IWD) is observed every year on 8 March to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The theme for this year’s IWD was “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”. It focused on the impact of the digital gender gap on widening economic and social inequalities and the importance of protecting women and girls in digital spaces.
The ICA-AP Committee on Women organized a virtual lecture to commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) on 7 March to discuss the theme, "DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality".
ICA Gender Equality Committee (GEC) published an offical statement and a message by the GEC members on 8 March. It also released coop stories of women participating in innovation and technology from across the globe. From the Asia-Pacific region, KAYA, a cloud-based shared digital platform designed for cooperatives in the Philippines was featured among these stories. KAYA enables more efficient coop operations and ease of transactions for individual members and businesses through a range of payment and financial services. Led by Ms. Sylvia O Paraguya, CEO, National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO), an ICA member, KAYA was created in 2016 together with ACCU and PFCCO to reinforce the vision of an integrated network, where services such as digital payments and technology solutions are ideally provided by the cooperative federations.
Our members observed IWD in different ways.
Australia:
Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM) – UN Women Australia declared this year’s theme to be, ‘Cracking the Code: Innovation for a gender-equal future’. BCCM published a special message – “Co-ops and mutuals are #CrackingTheCode this International Women’s Day by leveraging inclusive technologies, embracing disruptive innovation and ensuring access to education. We must crack our cultural, economic and social codes and behaviours that entrench inequality.” Read more.
China:
All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives organised a learning visit, spring outings and fun games for women. This year, they gave half-day leave to all women workers and organized various activities. A learning visit was organized to the former residence of Ms. Rosamond Soong Ching-ling, a political figure in China. Other activities included flower arrangements, fun games, and spring outings for women to enrich their daily lives.
India:
The National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) released a special issue of their publication ‘The Cooperator’ with women-centric articles. The publication can be read here.
Malaysia:
The Malaysian National Cooperative Movement (ANGKASA) along with ICA-AP Malaysia Business Office (MBO) and the ASEAN Cooperative Organisation (ACO) held a webinar on 8 March to discuss the theme, 'Women in Cooperatives: Embrace Equity’. The webinar aimed to seek opportunities for increasing women’s membership in cooperatives, address the social and cultural barriers that hinder women’s progress towards achieving their economic rights, discuss the opportunity for leadership roles, and provide potential solutions for women cooperative members’ psychological well-being.
Philippines:
Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC) observed the month-long celebration with the 2023 National Women's Month from 1-31 March with the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality”. The aim of National Women’s Month is to (1) highlight women’s achievements and contributions to the country, (2) raise awareness of ongoing inequality, discrimination, and barriers faced by women, (3) inspire the new generation of women to reach their utmost potential, and (4) promote equality and inclusivity in our society.
PCC published messages from the women cooperators during the month, which can be read on their Facebook page. It also held an online event on 31 March to delve deeper into the gender issues surrounding technological innovation. The event can be watched here.
The Gender and Development (GAD) unit of the National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) held a one-day event on 3 March to celebrate IWD with the theme ‘DigitALL: Innovation and Technology for Gender Equality’. The event aimed to promote gender equality in the industry.
Singapore:
The Singapore National Cooperative Federation (SNCF) published an interview and an inspirational story of a women cooperator to inspire the cooperative movement in Singapore.
Interview with Miss Universe Singapore 2022 on how she advocates for the underbanked communities and how cooperatives play a part in helping them too.
Story of Maria B Amri, a women cooperator and as Inspirational Figure and Mentor – As a veteran leader, Maria B Amri, who is on the Board of Directors at the TCC Credit Co-operative (TCC), has been dedicated to giving back to her community and serving the needs of others.
