Women have a knack for identifying the unaddressed aspects of the female experience that remain untouched by the patriarchal structures surrounding them—think of Grab, ShopBack, and Bumble, to name a few.

Meri Rosich, Board Committee member at SG Women In Tech, said:

“Women’s leadership in tech is crucial for driving innovation, fostering diverse perspectives, and creating products and services that cater to the needs of a broader audience. As technology continues to permeate every aspect of our lives, it is imperative that the individuals shaping these technologies reflect the diversity of the societies they serve.”

Yet, despite significant progress by women in technology and entrepreneurship, a concerning trend persists: a record number of talented women are leaving corporate leadership positions. In what can be termed a “Great Breakup,” where women leaders are demanding more from their work and are increasingly inclined to switch jobs to fulfil their needs, this exodus jeopardises diversity and innovation within organisations.

Identifying one of the most significant barriers to female leadership, Siew Ting Foo, who has been named one of Campaign Asia’s top 50 most influential marketers in Asia five times from 2018 to 2023, offers an insider perspective, stating,

“Often, females experience imposter syndrome, holding themselves back and engaging in self-doubt, believing ‘we are not good enough.’”

Building a sisterhood for success

Hosted by SmartOSC, in partnership with SG Women in Tech and Singapore Computer Society, the SheEO workshop addressed the specific challenges women face, including limited access to funding, underrepresentation in leadership roles, and myths that prevent women from thriving in the workplace.

Also Read: Invest in women, accelerate progress: Why gender equality matters now more than ever

When it comes to empowering women’s leadership, Mathilde Swierczynska, Co-Founder and Director at Inspiring Girls SG, in her talk at the SHEEO workshop, believes in promoting a sisterhood culture to uplift women in the workplace, often mentioning the famous quote:

“There’s a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

Harvard Business Review research suggests that while successful men gain advantages from their connections to various influential individuals, women need more than just that to reach the highest echelons of executive positions. In addition to broad networks, women require a tight-knit inner circle of female contacts.

This is because women often encounter cultural and political barriers on their path to executive roles. Hence, they not only benefit from being central in the network but also from having a close circle of female contacts. These networks provide confidential insights into organisational attitudes toward female leaders, empowering women in their job searches, interviews, and negotiations.

Echoing this sentiment, Caitlin Nguyen, Head of Digital and Customer Engagement at Abbott, emphasises the importance of community and support networks in the She Empowers Others campaign at SmartOSC, asserting,

“The role of community and building support networks is not to be underestimated. Not only does it further empower women, but it also strengthens learning agility and fosters continuous improvement both professionally and personally.”

“We recognise access to networks as a significant barrier hindering women’s advancement,”

said Hanh Le, Deputy CEO of SmartOSC. “SheEO workshop aims to empower women to challenge stereotypes and pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.”

The SheEO workshop forms an integral part of SmartOSC’s Forward content ecosystem, comprising podcasts, events, and magazines, representing a crucial stride towards nurturing a more inclusive tech industry.

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