Women's Participation at the Director Level in Four ASEAN Countries Remains Low

A 2017 Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study found that female participation in higher education was quite satisfactory. In several ASEAN countries, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam, participation rates reached 50%. This suggests that these four countries have achieved gender parity in education. Unfortunately, this parity does not extend to the workplace or industry.

For example, Indonesia has the lowest overall female labor force participation rate (38%) compared to the other three countries. Malaysia has the highest rate at 54%, followed by Vietnam at 48% and Singapore at 44%.

According to the BCG research, female participation further decreases at the senior management and director levels. Specifically, at the director level, the majority of countries have less than 20% female representation. Only Vietnam has achieved a higher representation, with one in four directors being female (25%).

The BCG study also surveyed male workers in these four ASEAN countries. Notably, Vietnamese male workers felt they hadn't done enough to support workplace equality, unlike their counterparts in the other three countries. Male perceptions and attitudes towards workplace equality may be a determining factor, considering that the workplace—particularly at senior management levels—is predominantly male.

Indonesia can strive for greater workplace equality, particularly at senior and director levels. The BCG report suggests several approaches, including reviewing strategies for promoting equality and implementing actions beyond simply creating regulations and cultural interventions.