Empowering women and girls in Asia-Pacific: IBM’s commitment to education

Recent research by UNESCO found that women make up only 35% of STEM graduates, and this number has not changed in the past 10 years. At the same time, women are more concerned about being replaced by AI than their male colleagues, according to an IBM IBV study.

This is why, in support of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Upskilling Initiative, in 2022 IBM pledged to train one million women and girls in the Asia-Pacific region over five years. As announced by the US Department of Commerce in Singapore, they progress towards this commitment has been remarkable. Nearly 650,000 women and girls have already been empowered through IBM's efforts to promote education, skill development, and career opportunities for women across the region.

Fostering partnerships for impact

IBM know that partnerships are key to making a real difference in people’s lives, and they take a holistic approach focused on providing education and training for everyone. From India to Japan, to Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, among others, IBM are collaborating with organisations across the region to increase access to technology education via IBM SkillsBuild.

To cite just a few examples, IBM are:

• Collaborating with ReBit and empowering LGBTQ+ individuals in Japan who are facing employment bias through skill-building.
• Offering AI and cybersecurity education via partnerships with Malaysia's Penang State Education Department and Indonesia's Ministry of Education.
• In the Philippines, working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide cybersecurity training for trainers and trainees.
• In India, continuing strengthening partnerships with organisations such as the Haryana State Board of Technical Education and various foundations and government bodies.

Stories of impact through IBM SkillsBuild

What is most inspiring are the stories of individuals who have faced challenges and benefited from IBMs work. People like Ashley Pojol from the Philippines, whose completion of the IBM SkillsBuild cybersecurity credential honed her problem-solving and critical thinking skills and piqued her interest in a career in cybersecurity.

In India, there's Shilpi Pachauri, whose journey from a technology-disconnected village to a successful web developer in Indore exemplifies the impact of IBM SkillsBuild in bridging the digital divide and empowering women from economically disadvantaged communities. Also in the country, Heena Aggarwal's story is one that shows resilience as she has worked to overcome financial constraints in pursuit of her dream of becoming an education entrepreneur with the help of IBM SkillsBuild.

Ashley, Shilpi, and Heena remind us why IBM’s work is so vital and illustrate the impact we can have when we build strategic partnerships and invest in education.

Empowering the next generation for global advancement

IBM are at a pivotal moment for inspiring and equipping the next generation around the world with the resources they need for careers in technology, which can offer a unique opportunity for social and economic advancement. IBM's pledge to empower women in the Asia-Pacific region is aligned with a commitment to create equitable impact through the expansion of opportunities for everyone. This pledge is also part of IBM’s global commitment to skill 30 million people by 2030, with over 11.5 million trained learners so far.

As the journey continues, one thing remains clear: when women are given the opportunity to thrive, entire societies prosper.