MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Women are powering up in the Philippines as they take the lead in Generative AI (GenAI) adoption across Southeast Asia. With Coursera’s latest playbook on closing the gender gap in GenAI skills, Filipino women are getting the spotlight they deserve and some serious strategies to level up.
The Philippines ranks among the top countries globally for women in GenAI enrollments. According to Coursera data, women in the Philippines make up 38% of GenAI learners, compared to a global average of just 32%. Filipino learners also recorded the highest growth in GenAI enrollments in Southeast Asia last year, with women’s enrollments surging by an incredible 818% and outpacing the 765% growth among men.
A gender gap still exists, but there’s a promising trend. While women make up 51% of all learners in the country, they’re still underrepresented in the GenAI space. However, the passion for AI is undeniable, and the Philippines shows better gender parity in learning than the global norm. To keep this momentum going, Coursera’s playbook lays out key challenges and interventions to bridge the gap.
Coursera’s playbook highlights key barriers limiting women’s participation in GenAI, along with strategies to bridge the gap, including:
- Confidence gaps reduce persistence: Women often hesitate to engage in GenAI courses due to self-doubt, even when they have the skills. On Coursera, they are six times more likely to enroll in beginner-level courses than intermediate ones, favoring structured and accessible entry-points. However, Filipino women are breaking this mold, where Coursera data reveals that the top 5 GenAI courses are identical for both men and women. This signals a positive start towards narrowing the divide between men and women in this field.
- Limited time and unclear guidelines hinder skill adoption: Many women cite “lack of time” as their top reason for discontinuing STEM courses, reflecting the reality of balancing caregiving and work responsibilities. A BCG report shows that only 50% of women in the Philippines are exposed to technology before university, underscoring the need for early access to STEM education and clearer career pathways to bridge the gender gap in AI adoption.
- Perceived lack of relevance: Many women hesitate to upskill in GenAI due to uncertainty about its real-world applications. They engage more when GenAI is linked to practical fields like healthcare, education, and creative industries. Real-world case studies, interdisciplinary AI courses, and applied learning programs can make AI more accessible and career-aligned. Globally, women use Coursera Coach 11% more than men, benefiting from guided AI learning and personalized recommendations.
- Lack of female role models limits engagement and retention: Fewer women in AI leadership and education discourage participation. Oxford Academy research shows that more female STEM teachers in high school increases the likelihood of women graduating with STEM degrees. Coursera data reveals that STEM courses with at least one female instructor attract 7% higher female enrollment on average. Increasing women educators, AI mentors, and industry role models will be key to sustaining long-term engagement in GenAI careers.
“While the Philippines has demonstrated an exceptional appetite to understand and harness GenAI technology, it is crucial for the country’s workforce development and international competitiveness that this appetite is shared equally,” said Karine Allouche, Global Head of Enterprise at Coursera. “As the global race towards AI literacy intensifies, expanding opportunities for women in GenAI, equipping them with these critical skills, and empowering them to lead in the digital economy remains an urgent priority. By empowering more women, we can ensure AI is built by diverse voices, for the world.”
Coursera’s insights are designed to equip institutions, individuals, and governments with strategies to allow women to thrive in the rapidly evolving field of GenAI. The ‘Closing the Gender Gap in GenAI Skills’ playbook can be found here.
