Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, calls for greater inclusivity in the tech industry, emphasizing the need for women to play a leading role in shaping the digital future. As the Women in Tech APAC Summit comes to a close in Kuala Lumpur, leaders from across the region gather to celebrate achievements and discuss strategies for empowering women in STEAM.
KUALA LUMPUR — In a call for greater inclusivity in the tech industry, Gobind Singh Deo, Malaysia’s Minister of Digital, emphasised the need for women to play a more prominent role in shaping the country’s digital future during his keynote address at the Women in Tech (WIT) APAC Summit and Awards.
“As we stand on the precipice of this ever-evolving digital era, it is extremely important that we recognise and amplify the contributions of women in the tech space,” said Gobind Singh. He pointed to the ongoing gender gap in senior leadership roles in the technology sector, citing the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report 2024, which showed a decline in women’s representation in top positions across industries.
The Minister also highlighted Malaysia’s progress in digital education, referencing initiatives such as AI Untuk Rakyat, which saw over 52% of female participation among its 1.3 million registrants. “This is encouraging, but more must be done to ensure women can reach the highest echelons of the tech industry,” he said.
His remarks set the tone for the third edition of the Women in Tech APAC Summit and Awards, which opened on Tuesday at the Central Bank of Malaysia. The two-day event brings together leaders and innovators from across the region to celebrate the achievements of women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) and discuss strategies for breaking down barriers in the tech ecosystem.
Women in Tech Malaysia’s Growing Influence
As the APAC regional HQ for the global Women in Tech movement, Malaysia is playing a critical role in expanding opportunities for women in STEAM fields. Since its establishment in 2022, Women in Tech Malaysia has led numerous initiatives aimed at fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech sector.
During her keynote speech, Yuki Aizawa, APAC Director and Country Director for Women in Tech Malaysia, spoke about the organization’s rapid growth across Asia-Pacific. “In just two years, we have expanded our reach with new chapters in Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Philippines, with more to come in early 2025,” said Aizawa.
She also highlighted the launch of a new community platform, designed to connect women across 61 countries, offering mentorship, funding opportunities, and a talent hub. “Our goal is to empower 5 million women by 2030, and this platform will be key in helping us achieve that,” Aizawa added.
A Call for Action and Collaboration
In his speech, Gobind Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to creating an inclusive digital ecosystem. He announced that Women in Tech Malaysia would sign a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with MDEC to further strengthen long-term collaborations in mentoring, talent development, and funding opportunities for women in tech.
“As technology advances, we must ensure that no one is left behind, especially women,” said Gobind Singh. He called for greater leadership training and mentorship programs to help women ascend to senior positions in the tech sector, while also encouraging young girls to pursue education in fields like AI and digital transformation.
The Minister also pointed to successful initiatives like the #GirlsInICT campaign, which encourages young women to pursue careers in STEM. He urged companies and organizations to create environments that are more inclusive and flexible to retain women in the workforce.
A Platform for Change
The Women in Tech APAC Summit 2024 is a platform for celebrating the achievements of women in STEAM while fostering collaboration across the region. This year’s event introduces new elements such as an Oxford-style debate and a fireside chat with HE Katsuhiko Takahashi, Japan’s Ambassador to Malaysia, discussing women’s roles in driving economic growth at the upcoming Osaka World Expo.
The summit also offers sessions like Up Close and Personal: Work x Life Integration with Founder Couples, which explores the challenges and successes faced by women entrepreneurs in balancing professional and personal responsibilities.
The Awards Night: Recognising Excellence
The summit will reach its highlight tonight with the WIT APAC Awards Gala Dinner, where outstanding women and initiatives will be honored for their contributions to STEAM. Winners from the APAC region will go on to compete in the WIT Global Awards in Paris, further showcasing the talent and innovation driving women in technology across the globe.
This year’s awards night promises to be a celebration of the remarkable women who are not only breaking stereotypes but also inspiring future generations to take part in the digital revolution. As the APAC Awards Gala draws near, anticipation builds for what promises to be a night of inspiration and empowerment.
A Brighter Future for Women in Tech
With plans to expand into Penang, Sabah, and Sarawak, Women in Tech Malaysia is poised to grow its influence across Malaysia and the Asia-Pacific region in 2025. New initiatives like the Girls-in-STEM and FoundHER Support Series are set to provide young women and female entrepreneurs with the support, mentorship, and funding they need to succeed.
As the WIT APAC Summit draws to a close, one thing is clear: the future of technology is diverse, inclusive, and will be powered by women. With the support of government leaders, industry stakeholders, and organizations like Women in Tech, the road ahead is bright for women in STEAM across Malaysia and APAC. – NMH
Datin Hasnah is the co-founder and CEO of New Malaysia Herald based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
With an extensive background in mass communication and journalism, she works on building up New Malaysia Herald and it’s partner sites. A tireless and passionate evangalist, she champions autism studies and support groups.
Datin Hasnah is also the Editor in Chief of New Malaysia Herald.
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