International Women's Day: early support needed for women in tech

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As International Women's Day rolls round again, technology has become a significant part of the discussion.

"The transition to an AI-driven workplace will reshape roles across every function. Leaders must ensure this shift expands opportunities rather than deepens existing gaps. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Give To Gain, is a timely reminder that progress in the workplace depends on deliberate action, such as providing equal access to training, mentoring, and career development opportunities," said Yvonne Teo, VP of Human Resources, APAC at ADP.

"This year's theme for International Women's Day, Give to Gain, conveys an important message: when women are given the opportunity to lead and contribute fully, everyone gains. As agentic AI reshapes the workforce, progress is not guaranteed and some under-represented groups risk being left behind. 

"Women face a double exposure risk: marginalised in high-growth AI roles, while overrepresented in functions most vulnerable to automation. If organisations do not act now, the next wave of digital transformation risks deepening existing inequities rather than closing them," said Julia Tan, MD at Cloudera Singapore.

"Organisations must be intentional and strategic about inclusion and building diverse teams. HR needs to shift from a supporting role to a strategic one that ensures reskilling, job transitions, and inclusion plans are designed from the outset."

Early opportunities needed

Jo Dean, VP of Channel and Alliances, Asia Pacific, Commvault, shared global data that suggests entry-level women face early-career barriers, with 21% reporting that they have been encouraged by managers to use AI tools.

"Four in 10 have not received a promotion, stretch assignment, or leadership training in the past two years," she pointed out. 

"These early-career gaps help explain a wider regional challenge. According to BCG, women make up only 34-40% of the tech workforce in Southeast Asia with even fewer in senior or technical leadership roles."

"Without early support to build AI and digital skills, women risk being left behind as these capabilities become core to career progression and organisational resilience," Dean emphasised. 

Career transformation

"In Singapore, ADP’s research shows that one in five workers (19%) are unsure how AI will change their job responsibilities. At the same time, only about one in four (24%) female workers feel they have the skills needed to advance their careers over the next three years. As AI continues to transform the skills required in the workplace, organisations must provide clear, structured pathways to help employees adapt with confidence," Teo added.

"This means approaching upskilling with focus and accessibility. Leaders should unbundle job scopes and redesign roles thoughtfully. This requires leaders to identify tasks where human judgement and collaboration remain essential, and equip employees with critical thinking, data literacy, and communication skills to work effectively alongside AI. When access to development is equitable and intentional, organisations build stronger talent pipelines, improve retention, and strengthen long-term performance." 

Leadership challenges

Wendy Koh, VP of Sales, Asia Pacific, Hitachi Vantara said that digital transformation and AI adoption continue to reshape how organisations compete and grow, placing renewed focus on attracting and retaining skilled talent across the technology sector. "While more women are entering the industry, supporting them as they transition from mid-career roles into leadership positions remains an ongoing challenge," she said.  

"Through my experience leading regional teams, I’ve seen that mentorship alone does not always translate into advancement. Many talented individuals, particularly women transitioning into leadership roles, remain underrepresented not due to lack of capability, but because opportunities are not actively created for them. Meaningful progress happens when leaders are willing to have open career conversations and place trust in people before they feel fully ready, enabling them to step into bigger roles and grow with guidance along the way."  

"Leaders therefore play an important role in creating environments where people feel encouraged to speak up, develop their strengths, and continue growing, helping organisations build stronger and more resilient teams for the future," Koh concluded.

Stella Joshua, Senior Director - HR, APJ, Everpure, said that the Give to Gain theme emphasises a powerful truth. "Giving is not a subtraction; it's intentional multiplication. In the modern workplace, giving isn’t just about resources; it’s about giving visibility and standing for truth. When we give credit through ‘active crediting’—amplifying a woman's voice in the room—we gain diverse perspectives," she explained. 

"When we give women the tools to drop the ‘politeness tax’ of unnecessary apologies, we gain powerful leaders. And crucially, when managers dismantle their 'protective hesitation' and stop withholding honest feedback out of fear of being perceived as biased, we gain a culture of deep psychological safety and accelerated career growth. By giving our advocacy and precise feedback, we aren't just supporting women; we are multiplying our collective success."

"While Singapore’s ongoing emphasis on making AI tools and training accessible is an important step, access alone isn’t enough. Organisations must pair technology with mentorship, sponsorship, and structured leadership development programmes to ensure women can apply these skills and grow into senior roles," Dean said.

"Across the APAC technology ecosystem, the shift I hope to see is from participation to ownership. It is not enough to increase the number of women entering technology roles. We need to see more women leading AI programmes, architecting cyberstrategies, and influencing product roadmaps."  

Technology and inclusivity

When it comes to building and governing AI systems, the room needs to reflect the world it is designing for, Tan added. "That means auditing datasets for gaps, testing for unequal outcomes, and bringing diverse reviewers into the AI lifecycle at every stage. Context, judgement, and the ability to collaborate across differences matter just as much as code. In the agentic AI era, diversity in leadership and oversight is not a value statement but a risk management imperative."

Virginia Galarón, Customer Advocate Director at New Relic, said that in technology, one of the most powerful ways we can give is through impact. "The work we do must solve real problems for customers, teams and the broader industry. In my day-to-day work, I see firsthand how careers flourish when professionals shift from completing tasks to creating sustained value. When we give our curiosity, our attention, and our commitment to understanding why the work matters, we create outcomes that last. That mindset not only strengthens organisations, it creates pathways for others to follow," she said. 

Cybersecurity and inclusivity

Courtney Guss, Director of Crisis Management, Semperis, said that women account for under 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce. "Much of the industry commentary focuses on male-dominated
environments and persistent pay gaps as reasons women leave the field, while simultaneously labelling
many women as coming from 'non-traditional' cybersecurity backgrounds," she shared.

"I find this framing increasingly outdated. Cybersecurity is no longer an IT problem alone — it is a
business risk, an operational resilience challenge, a cloud-first technology challenge, and in many cases, a matter of national and digital security. With the rise of AI-enabled threats, identity-based attacks, and expanding cloud ecosystems, the role of cyber has evolved, and so too must our understanding of what skills and experience truly matter."

"From my perspective, individuals who bring strong business, risk, and operational mindsets add tremendous value to any cybersecurity programme. These capabilities are not alternatives to technical expertise; they are essential complements to it," Guss added. 

The under-representation of women in cybersecurity, coupled with a shortfall of cybersecurity skills across the board, are why ESET set up the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship. The scholarship is designed to empower women in technology, offering financial support, visibility, and access to a global Alumni Club focused on mentorship, collaboration, and career growth. 

In Singapore, ESET will award one scholarship totalling S$5,000. Eligible applicants include women enrolled in undergraduate or postgraduate IT/cybersecurity programmes at accredited institutions in Singapore. The scholarship is also available in Australia and India.  

“As AI and digital technologies become more embedded across society, the strength of our cyberdefences ultimately depends on the people behind them,” said Parvinder Walia, President of the APAC region at ESET. 

“Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a cybersecurity hub in Asia-Pacific, and developing diverse local talent will be key to sustaining that progress. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in cybersecurity brings fresh perspectives and innovation that will help strengthen the industry and the region’s digital resilience.” 

Advancing together

"Today, building a meaningful career is no longer just about personal achievement, but also how women can give and support others. By helping others solve challenges, sharing knowledge, and contributing to teams and communities, women create impact that extends beyond their individual role," said Aurora Nguyen Dan Phuong, FPT Software VP & Head of Global Marketing & Customer Experience, FPT Corporation.

"Women often bring a natural advantage in this approach, thinking holistically and connecting actions to outcomes. By asking not just how something is done, but why it matters and who it serves, women can drive more thoughtful, effective, and purpose-driven results while lifting others along the way."

"By contributing their skills and knowledge, women not only make a tangible difference but also accelerate their own growth, expand their networks, and open doors to new opportunities. Giving to others allows women to multiply their personal impact and gain meaningful professional and personal growth. By sharing knowledge, guidance, and opportunities, we ensure that when women rise, everyone rises," said Phuong added.

"For women in tech, clarity of purpose is a gift you can give yourself. Every project has an intended outcome. Understanding that outcome early allows you to prioritise effectively, influence decisions, and deliver results that truly matter. When you anchor your work in purpose, you build confidence and credibility that compounds over time," Galarón said.

"Your voice is also a contribution. There will be moments when you are the only woman in the room. That can feel daunting, but it is also powerful. Being the only one means you bring a perspective that is not yet represented. Diverse thinking is essential to solving complex challenges, and your insight may be the catalyst that changes the direction of a conversation or a strategy. By speaking up, you are not just advancing your own career. You are expanding what leadership looks like for others.

"IWD is ultimately an opportunity for us to recognise that advancement is collective. When we advocate and create space for others, we strengthen the entire ecosystem. When we choose to keep learning, have the confidence to speak up and take the time to build trust, we open doors not only for ourselves but for others as well."

Details

Apply for the ESET Women in Cybersecurity Scholarship at https://www.eset.com/sg/women-in-cybersecurity-scholarship/ by April 19, 2026. 

*APAC refers to the Asia-Pacific region. 

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