The Void is not synonymous with stagnation; rather, it's a fertile ground for exploration and discovery. By understanding and embracing the Void, creatives can liberate themselves from the constraints of expectation and perfectionism. This liberation becomes a catalyst for fresh ideas, enabling a departure from the ordinary and a journey into uncharted territories of innovation.
Navigating the Void requires a willingness to confront uncertainty and silence the noise of external influences. It's a practice in mindfulness and self-discovery—a journey into the depths of one's own thoughts and emotions. In this solitude, creatives often find the raw materials for groundbreaking concepts, discovering connections and patterns that were previously obscured.
The process of engaging with the Void is not about avoiding challenges but transforming them into opportunities. It encourages a shift in perspective, viewing obstacles not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to innovation. By understanding 'the Void' as a realm of potential, creatives unlock the door to their most authentic and impactful work, revealing the beauty that emerges when the creative spirit is allowed to roam freely. In essence, the Void becomes not an abyss to be feared, but a sanctuary where creativity thrives, and our most brilliant ideas come to life.
MANILA, Philippines, April 25, 2024 – GCash, the Philippines' leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, celebrates International Girls in ICT Day with a series of initiatives where women in tech are recognized. With this year's theme centered on leadership, GCash recognizes the impact women have not only for the industry but the community as a whole.
"There can be no true financial inclusion without the contributions of women," said GCash President and CEO Martha Sazon. "Over half of GCash users are female, and if we want to keep boosting the digital finance capabilities of the Philippines, we need more women in tech."
GCash leads the way in welcoming and celebrating women in tech. More than 47% of GCash's workforce are female, well above the industry average of 28.8%. This continued to grow in 2023 as GCash welcomed 31% more women in its tech-related teams from software development to technology research, and product innovations.
As a FinTech led by women for women, GCash recognizes its role to be a catalyst for inclusion and empowerment. It provides accessible financial tools to sectors that were formerly excluded, the majority of which are women. GCash paves the way to enable them to support their livelihood, access loans, and take control of their finances.
GCash collaborates with various communities to enable more women to join the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. The company has partnered with organizations such as Connected Women, which has helped more women access remote work opportunities and training for in-demand skills globally. Just recently, GCash renewed its partnership with Connected Women to launch a purely online training, Elevate GAIL (Generative Artificial Intelligence Learning).
This International Girls in ICT Day, GCash is offering more opportunities to women by extending its expertise through mentoring sessions via external partners. In today's event organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), GCash's Chief Data Officer Sara Venturina and Chief Risk Officer Ingrid Beroña will be sharing their journeys and insights on Data and AI, as well as Cybersecurity, respectively, to students at the Far Eastern University.
GCash also regularly organizes GTalks, a platform that engages stakeholders on advocacies important to the company. Its upcoming GTalks in May will put a spotlight on how women can thrive in the tech industry. Through the partnership with the University of the Philippines Diliman, GCash hopes to encourage more female students to find their calling in STEM.
Through the International Girls in ICT Day, GCash underscores the importance of empowering women in technology, especially in a nation where most digital wallet users are women. GCash is proud of its role in championing this cause, one women leader at a time.
“Technology is ever-changing and evolving,” Sazon said. “We at GCash envision a future where the tech industry has also evolved for women to thrive, which is one of the keys to financial inclusion and economic progress.”
