Showcasing Women Innovation Leaders in Southeast Asia and Australia
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The Fourth Industrial Revolution is upon us. New technologies, such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, are transforming the way we live and work. Industry 4.0 technologies combined with the rapid rise of the digital economy are driving demand for a skilled innovation workforce.
This will have a profound impact on Australia and the Southeast Asia region. In order to compete in a dynamic and increasingly integrated global economy, countries will need to promote entrepreneurship and drive an innovation mindset by investing in upskilling their workers for the jobs of the future.
With a labour force of over 340 million people, the human capital of Australia and the Southeast Asia region holds enormous potential. Women are a critical part of this story. But women have historically been underrepresented in innovation-driven professions. Increasing representation of women in innovation leadership will be key to realising the potential of the entire workforce of Australia and the Southeast Asia region. Governments, international organisations, and corporations in Australia and the Southeast Asia region are aware of the untapped potential within their women workforces and are seeking ways to address this. Science, technology, education and mathematics (STEM) are crucial enablers for innovation.
Strategies that increase the number of women with STEM skills help grow the number of women in innovation leadership positions in startups, entrepreneurship, venture capital, technology firms and knowledge intensive companies. Ensuring a sustainable pathway for women to become innovation leaders is vital.