Lazada, Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce platform, on Monday launched Lazada Foundation to empower women and youths, secure education opportunities in the digital economy and close the gender digital divide. The Foundation is committed to awarding scholarships and providing career growth opportunities to talented youths across 6 markets in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. This will be a sustained commitment, piloting first in Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines in 2022.
“Our joint research with the International Finance Corporation last year found that Southeast Asia’s eCommerce market could grow by more than USD280 billion between 2025 and 2030, if more women receive better training and financial support,” said Gladys Chun, General Counsel, Lazada Group. “Lazada is cognizant of the importance of closing this gender gap. With Lazada Foundation, more Southeast Asian women can be economically empowered to play a greater role in the digital commerce ecosystem.”
The Lazada Foundation scholarships are designed to support young talent to pursue their education and excel academically without financial hurdles standing in their way. In addition, these young talent will also receive career and internship opportunities, which will contribute to their holistic development and equip them with ecommerce skill sets for a digital future world.
Apart from recognizing young talent with outstanding academic excellence, Lazada Foundation also works with local strategic partners to provide opportunities to underprivileged youths and women. Particularly, a key focus is to uplift women in technology. Lazada is working with For The Women (FTW) Philippines to sponsor a Data Science Scholarship Program and offer data science training to promising young women who are looking to switch to and build a career in tech. This is in line with the Foundation’s aim to narrow the gender digital divide and promote greater equality and inclusivity in the wider tech industry.
“Southeast Asia’s future is in the hands of the youths,” said Johanna Jacob, Chief People Officer, Lazada Philippines. “The next generation of leaders have big dreams for themselves and the communities they live in and Lazada Foundation wants to help them fulfil those dreams. The future of work goes beyond what is taught in the classroom. To prepare our youths for a digital future, Lazada is committed to providing coaching, mentorship and involvement with other technology-driven initiatives to bring youths one step closer to their dreams.”
“As we work to support businesses to thrive online, we are equally committed to uplift young women to their rightful place as movers in the tech industry.We found a good partner in For The Women Philippines (FTW), with their unique and targeted approach to tech enablement for young women,” she added.
As a critical part of its data science immersive training courses, FTW conducts a rigorous application program to select ideal women candidates for tech positions. Candidates are chosen for their aptitude and attitude that fit with qualities FTW identifies as success markers: resilience and adaptability.
Cara Wilson, FTW Philippines Executive Director & Co-Founder, said: “The Lazada x FTW Data Science Scholarship Program marks a shared vision of empowering women for future-resilient roles that create real impact. Like FTW, Lazada believes that it is only with true diversity and opportunity that systemic change can happen for the Philippines.”