Educational technologies empowering mothers, women’s growth

MOTHER’S Month might have ended, but the stories of mothers and adult women striving for lifelong learning remain relevant. In an email interview, I asked Melissa Loble, chief academic officer at global edtech firm Instructure, to highlight these incredible journeys and the transformative impact of education on their lives. In the Philippines, where many households rely on dual incomes, supporting mothers in their educational pursuits is essential for their empowerment and the well-being of their families.

Loble explained that Filipino mothers in rural areas face various barriers to accessing higher education, including limited internet access, time constraints, and deeply-rooted cultural expectations tied to traditional gender roles. These mothers must balance their time for education with responsibilities at home and work, often employed in agriculture, fishing and mining. Reliable transportation can also be a significant issue, making it hard to attend in-person classes.