As a coalition of women’s business and advocacy groups, we clearly see that technology is shaping our future and transforming our economies. Thus, we need to work toward accessibility and inclusivity of technology, which combines the two themes of IWD and UN Women.

Last month, I had the privilege of speaking at the Asia-Pacific Regional Consultation on the priority theme for the 67th session of thte CSW 67. It was a productive and collaborative process, which gives me confidence that our shared goal is within our reach—as long as we work together.

Allow me to share some thoughts I shared during the consultation.

“It will take over 200 years for women to be at par with men,” a news report from Davos said. Now, that’s “encouraging” (I hope you realize I am being sarcastic). But when we talk about equality, there really is much to do in the gender equality side. Why? Because sometimes it is the women who prevent other women from rising up. Sometimes it is other women who think women are lesser mortals. And oftentimes it is women who think we cannot do what men can do. So there are jobs that are “panglalaki” (meant for men) and “pambabae” (meant for women). And we as a society have long accepted these differentiations.