Credit & market access
Declined loans, lost visibility on selling platforms, and worse terms than others for the same business.
A CANADA-ASEAN PROGRAMME · 2026-2027
Inclusive AI governance for women's economic empowerment
AI already shapes how women across ASEAN earn, borrow and sell. This programme listens to them, equips them to use AI safely and profitably, and carries their voices into regional policy.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
Evidence, skills and a policy voice for women in ASEAN's digital economy.
Running from mid-2026 to early 2027, the programme studies how AI affects women's livelihoods, trains women to use it with confidence, and turns what they tell us into a regional policy brief and toolkit, launched at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
THE PROGRAMME IN NUMBERS
Built with the women it serves
750+
women surveyed
across ASEAN in 15 languages, plus in-depth interviews with community leaders.
150+
women consulted
in 10 focus-group sessions with partner communities.
500+
women trained
through 8 free online modules on AI literacy and digital safety, with a certificate.
60+
policymakers engaged
across 3 regional dialogues, leading to one ASEAN-wide toolkit.
WHY THIS MATTERS
AI already shapes how women in ASEAN earn, borrow and sell
Algorithms now help decide who gets a loan, which seller gets seen and how work is scored. Women are rarely asked how these systems affect them. That is where this programme begins.
Scams & deceptive media
Fraud, impersonation, and synthetic voice and video aimed at small sellers and their customers.
Workplace automation
Automated hiring screens, constant monitoring, and performance scores that are hard to question.
Left out of the rules
Women are rarely consulted on the policies that shape their income, their data and their safety online.
HOW IT WORKS
Each stage builds on what the one before it learned
Six stages, one pathway. What women tell us in the survey shapes the consultations, the modules, the dialogues and, finally, the policy brief.
- 01 · EVIDENCE
AI risk assessment
A 12-minute survey of 750+ women in 15 languages, plus interviews with community leaders.
Aug - Sep 2026 - 02 · LISTENING
Community consultations
Ten focus groups with 150+ women test the findings and surface the support they need.
30 Oct - 21 Nov 2026 - 03 · SKILLS
AI literacy & digital safety
Eight free online modules for 500+ women, built on the survey findings, with a certificate.
26 Oct - 29 Nov 2026 - 04 · CELEBRATE
Closing ceremony
An online celebration open to every e-course participant, recognising top learners across ASEAN.
Early Dec 2026 - 05 · DIALOGUE
Policy dialogues
Three themes, drawn from what communities told us, debated with 60+ policymakers and industry leaders.
17 Dec 2026 - 06 · POLICY
Policy brief & toolkit
A regional toolkit for inclusive AI governance, launched at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
25 Feb 2027
LEARNING MODULES
Eight modules. One certificate. Free.
Short, practical lessons on AI safety, privacy and digital tools, done on your own time. Each module opens with a short message from an inspiring community representative.
Course runs 26 October - 29 November 2026Understanding AI and why it matters for women
AI literacy · Opens 26 Oct
Staying safe online in the age of AI
Digital safety · Opens 26 Oct
Growing your business with AI
Women-led SMEs · Opens 26 Oct
AI at work: work smarter, know your rights
Employed women · Opens 26 Oct
Gig work when your boss is an algorithm
Platform & gig work · Opens 26 Oct
Stop, check, talk: beating AI-powered scams
Scam awareness · Opens 26 Oct
Guarding your identity and money from AI fraud
Fraud protection · Opens 26 Oct
Shaping the rules: your voice in AI governance
Policy voice · Opens 26 Oct
UPCOMING EVENTS
Two moments to make your voice heard
POLICY DIALOGUE · 17 DEC 2026
Join the policy dialogue
Sit at the table with 60+ policymakers and industry leaders. Bring what your community lives every day, from credit and scams to platform work, and help shape how ASEAN governs AI.
Join the policy dialogueTOOLKIT LAUNCH · 25 FEB 2027
Attend the toolkit launch
Be in the room when the regional policy brief and toolkit for inclusive AI governance is launched, built on what women across ASEAN told us.
Attend the toolkit launchWHO IS IT FOR?
Both events are open to the public, so anyone can register. If you represent a community, this is your moment to shine: bring your community's story to the people shaping ASEAN's AI rules, and be seen across the region.
WHO IT'S FOR
For women building livelihoods in ASEAN's digital economy
Whether you run a stall, a shop online or a team, if AI touches how you earn, this programme is for you. Community organisations can also join as partners.
Women entrepreneurs & MSME owners
From market stalls to online shops: business owners whose credit, visibility and sales are shaped by algorithms.
Platform & gig workers
Freelancers, virtual assistants, drivers, affiliates and remote workers whose income depends on apps and ratings.
Women professionals & NGOs
Employees, leaders and women's organisations navigating automated hiring, workplace monitoring and digital risk.
Open to communities in all 11 ASEAN member states
Brunei Darussalam
Cambodia
Indonesia
Lao PDR
Malaysia
Myanmar
Philippines
Singapore
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Viet Nam
WHY JOIN
What you gain by taking part
AI is already part of how you sell, borrow and work. This programme helps you use it on your terms, and makes sure women like you are heard when the rules are written.
Register your interest
Free, certified learning
Eight practical modules on AI and digital safety, with a certificate you can share. No fees, and you learn at your own pace.
Skills you can use tomorrow
Spot scams and deepfakes, protect your customers' data, and use AI tools to sell, market and work smarter.
Your voice in ASEAN policy
What you share shapes a regional policy brief and toolkit, presented at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta.
A network across 11 countries
Connect with women entrepreneurs, gig workers and professionals facing the same challenges across Southeast Asia.
First look at the findings
Be among the first to see what the research reveals about women in your sector and your country.
Recognition for your community
Partner organisations are credited in programme publications and connected with peers across ASEAN.
- Free to join, no hidden costs
- Taking part is always voluntary
- Your answers stay anonymous and protected
REGISTER
Take your place in the programme
Registration takes about two minutes and is free. Once you sign up, we'll email you a link to confirm your address and log in straight away.
- Register your interestFill in the short form. It takes about two minutes.
- Confirm your emailOpen the welcome email and tap the link. It confirms your address and logs you in.
- Start learningBegin with Module 01. Next time, log in with your email and password.
