By Samar Alrayyes, APEC 2025 Side Panel Speaker
TechWomen Co-Chair, Samar Alrayyes, was honoured to be invited and participate in APEC 2025 SOM2 at Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, last week. This is a very important activity as TechWomen aims to help form a better future with women having a seat at the table and empowered to have an equitable career and participation. We would like to thank The Australian APEC Study Centre for their sponsorship and making this happen.
At the APEC 2025 SOM2 Side Panel, leaders and experts gathered to discuss a critical issue that continues to challenge economic growth and innovation across the Asia-Pacific region—structural and institutional barriers suppressing women’s participation in high-skill digital services.
The panel was moderated by the amazing Mia Mikic, her current role is short to describe her amazing experience as Trade expert, Research Associate at The University of Waikato.
The panel was joined by
- Devi Ariyani, Executive Director at Indonesia Services Dialogue Council, Managing Partner at Dash Consulting.
- Steve Tobin, Chief Executive Officer at LabourX, and Labour Market Expert at ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
- Joana Valente, Partner in Technology and Transformation at Deloitte
The Challenge: A System Designed for Exclusion
Women make up over 60% of APAC’s services workforce, yet hold less than 30% of STEM roles, particularly in AI, fintech, and consulting—fields that drive APAC’s economic momentum. These numbers reflect deep-rooted obstacles: restrictive licensing laws, inequitable access to funding, workplace biases, and entrenched cultural perceptions that STEM careers are male-dominated.
Economic consequences are staggering. APAC forfeits an estimated $94 billion annually by marginalizing women’s contributions in digital services. Rigid corporate policies—such as inflexible work hours and biased promotion criteria—further limit their advancement, draining the talent pipeline.
The Impact: Innovation, Trade, and Social Equity at Stake
Research confirms that non-diverse teams lose 20% of innovation potential, producing weaker AI, fintech, and consulting solutions. Without diverse perspectives in leadership, digital products fail to address broad market needs, damaging competitiveness. Beyond business outcomes, the absence of women in high-skill roles also weakens communities. Women reinvest in education and healthcare, shaping a more equitable society—but without access to leadership opportunities, many never reach their full potential.
Initiatives like TechWomen NZ’s ShadowTech program, which connects young girls with tech businesses, have successfully raised female tech leadership by 15% in five years within the group—proof that change is possible with the right strategies.
Recommendations: A Path Forward
To dismantle these barriers and fuel economic growth, APEC leaders must act decisively:
- Policy Reforms – Enforce fair licensing practices where policy mandating working from the office are not always needed, mandate pay transparency, ensure universal broadband access, and update promotion policies to foster equity.
- Public-Private Collaboration – Establish funding mechanisms for mentorship programs, leadership training, and apprenticeships to empower women in digital fields.
- Inclusive Industry Leadership – Engage male allies and champions in decision-making discussions to accelerate change. Historical movements prove that systemic reforms succeed when majority groups advocate for inclusion.
- Accountability & Progress Tracking – Implement measurable frameworks to assess advancements, refine strategies, and ensure lasting impact.
APEC has the opportunity to transform its economic landscape by investing in women’s leadership in high-skill digital services. Let’s make 2025 the year of action, unlocking innovation and prosperity through equity.
#APEC2025 #WomenInTech #DigitalEquity #TechLeadership #InclusiveInnovation
