ALMOST a month separates the International Day of Women and Girls in Science on February 11 and the International Women’s Day on March 8, but the two are getting increasingly related if not in time, at least, in the achievements these want to mark. The former was established in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly to encourage more girls and women to pursue studies and careers in science and technology. The latter celebrates female achievements in social, cultural, economic and political fields and advances gender parity. But these achievements will struggle to progress without higher participation of women in science, technology and innovation, especially in a highly digitized, post-pandemic world.

This is particularly important for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region, one of the fastest growing digital economies in the world, whose growth has been accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. With a growing proportion of our daily activities moving online, equal access to digital technology and participation in online professional activities is key to an inclusive post-pandemic recovery. And equal access means the same opportunities to compete, thrive and access leadership positions.

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