Women’s Leadership in Southeast Asia: Examining the Authentic Leadership Implementation Potency

Abstract

Rapid economic growth in Asia has helped reduce gender inequality in several countries, especially those in Southeast Asia. This has led, among many other things, to the fact that women have higher opportunities to become leaders. Yet, in Southeast Asia the biggest challenge that remains is the tendency of “untrained” women in public leadership. Then the birth of women needs to get strategic support from the current system of leadership culture, that good life for women is the main pillar of women’s leadership requirements. This paper discusses the opportunities present for preparing Southeast Asian women to become future leaders from a number of authentic leader characteristics that they have. By using the content analysis method, the preliminary findings of this study is the existence of better gender relations, accompanied by the resilience and pragmatism of today’s location communities, bringing Southeast Asian women to a promising future leadership role. A number of characteristics of authentic leaders that have become the basis of women’s identity are actually the main capital to be prepared further through a number of educational efforts, assistance and training in order to increase knowledge, insight, organizational skills and self- confidence. Next, women leaders must be made. Women’s willingness and ability to adapt and develop stronger skills in the areas of emotional intelligence, empowerment, and power of influence place them in a strong position to use these advantages to propel them forward in leadership roles. Southeast Asian countries, especially those with a low human development index, have to begin to open up the need for a state led by women leaders who have the potential to represent a number of authentic leadership criteria to respond to the crisis of public confidence in the country’s leadership.

Women leadership development in local governance in South and Southeast Asia: a critical analysis

“…South and Southeast Asian countries have “committed to achieving women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities in leadership at all levels of public decision-making” (OECD & ADB, 2019, p. 62). Despite the linguistic and cultural differences in South and Southeast Asian nations, they are characterized by a relatively favourable position of women in government and administration (Apriani & Zulfiani, 2020). Although it is claimed that significant development toward gender equity has taken place (Sinpeng & Savirani, 2022), progress has not been as satisfactory.…”

“…Overall, South and Southeast Asia observed 25% women representation in local government (UN, 2021). Women are making progress, but real opportunities and achievements in local governance and administration are still evolving (Apriani & Zulfiani, 2020). A general region-wise scenario of women representation in local governance can be shown in Figure 1 below.…”

The power of woman-to-woman mentorship in creating long-term changes in biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia

“…Building strong, positive relationships is critical for helping mentees become more resilient (e.g. Apriani and Zulfiani, 2019).…”