Women comprise only about 28% of the global tech sector's employees, whereas in Southeast Asia, they constitute 32%. According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Index 2023 rankings, which measure gender-based gaps in access to resources and opportunities, the Philippines was the highest-ranked country in the region, at number 16 worldwide.
Other regional countries on the list were Singapore at 49, Thailand at 74, Indonesia at 87, Cambodia at 92, Malaysia at 102, and Myanmar at 123. These rankings provide a snapshot of the current state of gender equality in Southeast Asia and highlight the areas where more progress is needed.
Encouraging women in technology fields creates a gender-balanced industry that offers many benefits. It fosters different viewpoints, increases investment returns, provides diverse problem-solving ideas, and prevents losing customers due to ignoring female feedback in the workplace.
But, is gender equality possible in a tradition-oriented region struggling to attract more women to businesses and leadership positions?
Key challenges and barriers for women in technology
Female employees struggle due to persistent gender biases. They endure belittlement of their abilities, are not seen as equals, face criticism, lack mentors, and receive unsolicited comments about their appearance. Cultural expectations often want them to be stay-at-home wives, leading to insufficient education.
Startup funding shortages make them unable to compete in challenging or male-dominated markets. In 2022, grants to women-run businesses dropped by 32% to USD 2 billion, representing 12.6% of the overall private funding capital raised.
According to a report last year, 68% of company leaders believed they had yet to reach the desired diversity levels. Inclusivity drives business growth, leads to better products and services, provides varied ideas, and fosters innovation. Unfortunately, female interviewees miss out on jobs they would be perfect for.
UN Women's survey data on female participation and leadership in political and public life highlight women's underrepresentation at all decision-making levels worldwide. Just 18 countries have a woman as head of state, with 15 as head of government. Female Minister appointments are primarily to portfolios like gender equality and Social inclusion and development rather than to tech-oriented departments.
In the State of Gender Equality and Climate Change in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) report, Lenny Rosalin, Chair of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), said that women are disproportionately affected by environmental issues and disasters. Male-headed households are more likely to secure funding and climate technologies than female-headed ones, further exacerbating the gender gap.
Initiatives for closing the gender gap
Klaus Schwab, founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, stated during the launch of its 2017 report, "Overcoming the biases – unseen or otherwise – that are keeping us from closing the gender gap represents an overwhelming economic as well as moral imperative."
Continued progress, empowerment of women through education and inclusive policies, and improved investment in startups are essential. Femtech solutions can deal with medical issues that prevent ladies from functioning at their usual high level in the office. For example, Indonesia's BukuBumil enables pregnancy tracking to ensure healthy experiences throughout the childbirth process.
Government funding and support can boost female-led businesses and provide them with access to information and vulnerability assessments. These create a better understanding of running companies and successfully engaging in eCommerce. Those from rural areas need assistance because they face additional challenges like lacking electricity, internet access, innovative technologies, and enough money to purchase costly digital solutions.
Young girls must be encouraged to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) to get high-paying jobs in these industries. Employment-age females tend to pursue non-STEM careers, with 48% admitting they found technology difficult and 39% were uninterested in the sector. Stakeholders should expose girls to role models, weave technology into their everyday lives, and make the courses more engaging. Education plays a crucial role in promoting gender equality, and it's vital to encourage girls to pursue STEM education.
According to the Tech for Good Institute, ASEAN has taken strides to close the digital divide between the genders, with a regional average of 0.96 for the internet and 0.98 for mobile. There should be affordable access to web infrastructure, safe participation online, inclusive diversity, and the opportunity to improve livelihoods through the digital economy.
Additionally, companies should improve their skilled female employee hiring initiatives and find ways to retain them. For example, they could offer benefits or flexible work schedules to enable mothers to raise children while working. They could also provide a supportive environment, mentorship, coaching, and career development pathways.
One way to recruit women in technology is through AI. This technology can reduce the gender gap by removing interview bias and prejudices. Moreover, it can collect hiring data to improve the screening process and get more diverse candidates from underserved areas.
Lastly, women in Southeast Asia should learn effective networking techniques for getting jobs, such as joining professional associations or attending industry events. These can set them apart from their male counterparts.
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