Women in 6 SE Asian countries play strong role in business management
Six countries in Southeast Asia - Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia - have higher-than-average female representation in top-level business management, according to a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) released this
All six countries were above the study mean of 15 per cent, with Vietnam the highest at 30 per cent.
The "Asian Development Outlook 2015" report titled "Enabling Women, Energising Asia" aimed to provide the latest update on the economic growth of the countries in the region as well as report on progress in gender equality, in particular the roles and duties of the women in management.
"Asian women are still disadvantaged in terms of education and workforce participation. Bringing more women into paid work can be a catalyst for broader social change," ADB president Takeheko Takehiko Nakao was quoted as saying in the report.
"Equality between men and women is a goal in its own right, but women are not the only ones who will benefit. Economies in developing Asia will enjoy greater prosperity if they resolve to use all of their human resources to the fullest."
Laotian businesswoman Valy Vetsaphong said women in her country played a greater role in business management thanks to the government policy of promoting gender equality. She said changes in social values also created opportunities for women to take part in business management.
"In some associations and organisation there are fixed seats for women," she said. "However, it does not mean that unqualified women will take management positions. The women who will manage the organisation must meet the standards."
Valy, who is also president of the Lao Young Entrepreneurs Association, said it was active in promoting women in business management. She also said some women had better knowledge and qualifications than men.
"What I have learned is that women are behind the success of men," she said, adding that increasing numbers of women own businesses in Laos.
Valy acknowledged that despite many women being promoted into top business management, there was still a stigma against them. Many Lao people still believe that women should work as housewives and take care of children.
She said there was a need for the promotion of gender equality so women could take part in national socio-economic development.
