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Economic growth and technological advances are creating dramatic changes in labour markets in Southeast Asia, with a move away from traditional agriculture towards services and industrial occupations. Our research indicates that up to 80 per cent of future jobs will require at least basic and applied information communication technology (ICT) skills, and we anticipate a positive correlation between proficiency in ICT skills and job opportunities in the coming years. However, women in the region could be disadvantaged on many levels, ranging from digitisation-driven unemployment and shrinkage of industries traditionally dominated by women such as education and administration, disparities in access to the Internet, technology and ICT skills training. Social attitudes and unconscious bias can also be barriers to women's recruitment in high growth, but traditionally male-dominated, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) industries.

This report summarises analyses on how governments, foundations and the private sector can increase employment of women in Southeast Asia through the development of mechanisms to support women's ICT skills development. Solutions are proposed to address both technical and social barriers holding back women's participation in new growth industries.

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In the 21st Century, it is anticipated that many countries in Asia will experience rapid economic development and growth. In this time of change, it is critical that social inequalities are addressed and opportunities are made available for all to flourish and thrive. Yet in many aspects of labour, from job opportunities and wages to unpaid work, gender disparity continues to persist. This report summarises analyses on the state and challenges of the use of Information Communication and Technologies (ICT) in supporting women entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. In many countries, it is more difficult for women to find formal employment compared with men. Starting a business is often the only way for women to improve their financial situation and become self-sufficient but major barriers remain in the form of social and religious customs, difficulty in securing funds, and lack of entrepreneurial skills. This report highlights how ICT can best support female entrepreneurs' transition from informal, small businesses to larger businesses. We assess the barriers female entrepreneurs face and how ICT can help scale women's businesses in Southeast Asia. This report has been compiled from interviews with local people, which inform the numerous proposals on how foundations and policy makers can be more supportive of women's entrepreneurship.

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