E-Women in E-Business: Philippine Digital Entrepreneurship Initiatives during the Economic-Pandemic Struggle
Catherine V. Hernando, Mymar Denise B. Nellas, Richelle S. Seares, Jan Brithney L. Navales, Rizza J. Sanchez, Ana Leah Dungog-Cuizon
ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the experiences of Filipino women entrepreneurs and their use of the Internet for Information and Communications Technology (ICT)-based businesses as means for income-generating ventures during the Philippine economic-pandemic struggle. With the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impinging on businesses, Filipino women entrepreneurs have opted to utilize digital platforms to continue or build new businesses using innovative marketing strategies despite the ongoing economic-pandemic restrictions. Consequently, while the transition to digital platforms in facilitating businesses introduced new challenges, a consensus was reached regarding e-business as a great economic opportunity to relieve the adverse effects of the pandemic on the Philippine economy. E-business initiatives of Filipino women entrepreneurs fostered a culture of independence and financial freedom. At the end of this chapter, a framework integrating ICT and Gender and Development (GAD) initiatives is proposed, aiming to champion Filipino women entrepreneurs’ continuing transition into the digital economy.
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