A Filipina-led initiative has launched a new platform designed to help more women take on leadership roles across Southeast Asia. The platform, announced on Tuesday, seeks to address the region's gender gap in executive positions by providing mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities.
Spearheaded by a coalition of women leaders from the Philippines, the initiative aims to empower women through skill-building workshops, access to industry experts, and a supportive community. Organizers emphasized that the platform is open to women from all Southeast Asian countries, with content available in multiple languages.
"We believe that when women lead, communities thrive," said Maria Santos, the project lead. "Our goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where women can grow, connect, and break through the glass ceiling."
The platform will feature virtual training modules, a job board for leadership positions, and a directory of female mentors. It also plans to host regular webinars and regional conferences. Early partners include several universities and corporations committed to gender diversity.
According to a 2023 report by the World Economic Forum, Southeast Asia has made progress in closing the gender gap in education and health, but women remain underrepresented in senior management and political roles. This new initiative aims to accelerate change by targeting the pipeline of future leaders.
Registration for the platform is free and open now. The first virtual mentorship cycle is expected to begin in March.