For every 100 men in leadership positions at the managerial level and above globally, there are fewer than 40 women in positions of a similar level. In Asia Pacific, the ratio falls to around 25 women for every 100 men. The average ratio of women to men in leadership positions in the Southeast Asian region is at 46 to 100.
A bigger representation of women in governments and positions of decision-making at all levels has been found to improve the well-being of a population through identification and targeting of lagging development agendas that impacts on their quality of life. Southeast Asia is also not lacking with examples of strong, capable women leaders. Indonesia fields the power duo of Sri Mulyani Indrawati, its Minister of Finance and Susi Pudjiastuti, its Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.
Early this year, Indonesia’s Minister of Finance, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, received the Best Minister Award at the World Government Summit in Dubai. This award is based on a country’s tangible achievements in reducing poverty, improving living standards, reducing public debt and boosting transparency in public transactions.
