Advancing women's empowerment: growing women's entrepreneurship through ICT in Southeast Asia

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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