Let's Keep the Progress Coming for Women in Tech
Dr Jenny Tan5 Mar 2025 · 1 min read · First published by ISACA Now Blog
Writing for ISACA's global blog in March 2025 as Immediate Past President of the ISACA Singapore Chapter, Jenny starts with good news. ISACA's Tech Workplace and Culture survey of more than 7,700 professionals found that women and men are now almost equally satisfied with their career progression. An IMDA study adds that Singapore has the highest share of women in tech among 11 Southeast Asian countries, and that women earn nearly half of the region's tech degrees.
Yet far fewer women actually work in tech, and very few lead the tech functions of the region's largest multinationals. From her work as a SheLeadsTech champion, Jenny sees several reasons. Awareness campaigns focus on trending cybersecurity roles, so many women never hear about careers in risk, governance and operations. There are too few senior women to act as mentors, even though most professionals say mentors matter. And strong family expectations in the region lead many women to leave the workforce after a few years.
Her suggestions are practical: use flexible work to bring women back sooner, build the pipeline from school age, and enlist men as allies, since most men surveyed say gender-inclusive programmes make a positive difference.
Key takeaways
- Career satisfaction is close to equal, but representation and leadership still lag.
- Show the full range of tech careers, not only trending cybersecurity roles.
- More senior women means more mentors for those coming up.
- Flexible work can help women return to tech sooner.
- Male allies and an early education pipeline both matter.
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