Why Women in Tech Are Still Waiting 134 Years for Equality—And How We Can Change That Now!

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As we commemorate International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8, 2025, the theme "Accelerate Action" serves as a powerful call to intensify efforts toward achieving gender parity, particularly in the technology sector. This theme underscores the urgency of proactive measures to bridge the gender gap, a sentiment echoed by industry leaders like Verena Siow, President and Managing Director of SAP Southeast Asia.

The Current Landscape of Women in Southeast Asia's Tech Industry

Southeast Asia has made notable strides in promoting gender diversity within its technology sector. Women constitute approximately 32% of the tech workforce in the region, surpassing the global average of 28%. 

 Countries like the Philippines lead in gender equality rankings, standing at 16th globally, reflecting a progressive environment for women in tech.

However, challenges persist. Despite a relatively high percentage of women pursuing tech-related degrees—up to 48% in countries like Thailand and the Philippines—there remains a significant drop-off when transitioning to the workforce and ascending to leadership positions. Women occupy only 23% of senior leadership roles in the top 50 tech companies across Southeast Asia, with a mere 8% in technical leadership roles. 

Barriers Hindering Progress

Several factors contribute to the underrepresentation of women in technical roles and leadership positions:

Perception and Interest: Many women perceive technical roles as male-dominated and lacking work-life balance, deterring them from entering the field. 

Workplace Culture: A lack of clear career paths and workplace cultures indifferent to the unique challenges faced by women lead nearly half of the women in technical roles to consider shifting to non-technical positions. 

Leadership Bias: Subjective performance evaluations and biases in career-related decisions hinder women's advancement to senior leadership roles. 

Strategies to Accelerate Action

To address these challenges and accelerate action toward gender parity, a multifaceted approach is essential:

Sponsorship Over Mentorship: Beyond mentorship, women need sponsors—leaders who actively advocate for their advancement, open doors to new opportunities, and champion their careers. 

Equal Access to Leadership Tracks: Ensuring that high-impact projects and decision-making roles are accessible to women at all levels is crucial for building a robust pipeline of future female leaders. 

Redefining Leadership: Organizations should broaden their definition of leadership to value diverse perspectives, emotional intelligence, and inclusivity, moving beyond traditional traits like aggressiveness. 

Early Exposure to Technology: Introducing girls to technology before university increases the likelihood of them pursuing tech-related degrees by 27%. 

Creating Inclusive Work Environments: Implementing structured programs and policies that support the career progression and retention of women can foster a more inclusive culture. 

The Role of Organizations and Initiatives

Organizations like Girls in Tech have been instrumental in advocating for gender parity. Their "Half the Board: 50/50 by 2025" initiative calls upon companies to commit to gender parity in their boardrooms by 2025, emphasizing the need for tangible actions over mere discussions. 

Moreover, companies are increasingly recognizing the benefits of diversity. Approximately 70% of respondents in tech companies reported that their organizations have initiatives to improve the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women, reflecting a positive trend compared to previous years. 

Conclusion

Accelerating action toward gender parity in Southeast Asia's tech industry requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders. By addressing systemic biases, redefining leadership, and creating supportive environments, we can unlock the full potential of women in technology. As Verena Siow aptly stated, "Innovation does not happen by waiting. It happens by taking action, challenging norms, and accelerating change." This International Women's Day, let us commit to not just envisioning a future of gender parity but actively forging it.

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