Manila: Across Southeast Asia, women are shouldering the overwhelming burden of unpaid care work at home, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in leadership roles across predominantly male-dominated industries. Despite making up a substantial portion of the workforce at entry-level positions, women in the region are disproportionately absent from boardrooms and executive positions.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in its 2024 Report for Southeast Asia highlighted a striking disparity: women in the region spend 3.1 times more hours on unpaid care and domestic work compared to men. This equates to 3.3 hours daily for women versus just one hour for men, with the divide worsening from 2014 to 2022.
In professional spaces, the imbalance is stark. Globally, women constitute only 25 percent of the physical security workforce and hold just 31 percent of leadership roles. In Southeast Asia, fewer than 20 percent of board seats are occupied by women, despite women comprising nearly half of all entry-level positions. However, only a quarter advance to C-suite roles.
The issue is not a matter of capability but rather how capability is perceived and supported within leadership systems. Women are often seen as aggressive for displaying decisiveness, a trait valued in caregiving but misinterpreted in professional settings. Their ability to manage complex demands in personal life is overlooked in leadership contexts.
The path to leadership is fraught with challenges, as women frequently find themselves excluded from strategic decision-making rooms. Although trusted to deliver outcomes, they are not consistently positioned for strategic visibility that translates performance into career progression.
Industry bodies like ASIS and companies like HID have been instrumental in opening doors for women in security, an otherwise male-dominated field. Yet, the burden of change cannot rely solely on goodwill; women must navigate perceptions and biases to carve out their space.
Communities are forming across Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, to support women in security and other challenging industries. These networks offer spaces for connection, learning, and collective growth, serving as vital support structures.
The future for women in security and other industries in Southeast Asia hinges on continued visibility and presence, challenging the status quo until inclusivity and representation become the norm rather than the exception. The journey is ongoing, but women are no longer waiting for permission to step into leadership roles.