Each year, International Women’s Day recognises the achievements of women globally and examines the ongoing efforts needed to achieve gender equity. A focus for International Women’s Day 2025 was on promoting and celebrating gender equity worldwide.
SMU organised several inspiring initiatives that women and allies in the University’s community could participate in, including a thought-provoking panel discussion which examined how women are often overlooked in a world primarily designed by and for men.
Themed “Invisible by Design: Are Women Overlooked in a World Built for Men?”, it was hosted by the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) and SMU Libraries on 13 March 2025. The panel comprised SMU Professors Sabine Benoit and Lim Sun Sun from SMU, as well as SMU alumna Ms Joanna Teo of Attribute Data.
SMU alumnus Mr Aaron Jason Martin of pharmaceutical giant MSD (also known as Merck & Co.) moderated the session, as panelists delved into topics such as navigating academia, the necessity for increased representation of women in technological fields, and existing policy gaps.
Towards a world where no one is invisible “by design”
Director, Office of Alumni Relations, Ms Florence Neo, began the session by exhorting our many alumnae who have driven inclusive workplace policies and championed women’s voices.
During the session, Prof Lim highlighted the importance of creating pathways for young women to develop leadership aspirations by establishing mentorship and sponsorship programmes. She emphasised that designing support structures for women at every stage in life is essential to facilitate a healthier diversity of representation across various industries, particularly in the tech sector.
“This aims to prevent a situation where design and business development remain largely male-dominated, which can lead to products and systems that fail to account for women, thus creating environments susceptible to abuse,” she said.
Prof Benoit shared her own early career experience as one of the few women in academia, encouraging everyone to speak up and serve as role models. "If we realise something doesn't feel right, we should have the courage to step up and say something,” she advised.
Discussing the importance of policies in empowering women, Ms Teo emphasised that gender-disaggregated data enhances policy design, citing Singapore’s fertility policies as an example of how more nuanced gender data can result in improved policy outcomes like greater subsidies for fertility treatments.
She noted, "When society becomes more developed, there will be greater levels of personalisation and customisation in policy design — data sits at the crux of it."
The panel discussion also featured a dynamic Q&A session that was moderated by Mr Martin, a male ally who does not shy away from speaking up on issues regarding gender disparity.
The Q&A session afterwards reinforced the fact that awareness of the gender disparity is only the beginning, and what truly matters is driving change through inclusive workplace policies and amplifying the voices of women. As the panel aptly put it, the real challenge lies in reimagining systems to ensure no one remains invisible by design.
In her closing remarks, University Librarian, Ms Shameem Nilofar, emphasised the importance of accuracy in data to address biases and called on attendees to make a better tomorrow for everyone.
Building a support network and emphasising wellness
Another of SMU’s initiatives to celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 was a virtual talk that focused on wellbeing for women.
During the session on 7 March 2025, participants explored key pillars of wellbeing from a perspective that addressed the unique needs that women have.
After the session with inspirational speaker and coach Ms Jasmin Waldmann, participants walked away armed with techniques such as aligning daily routines with energy cycles and adopting effective stress-reduction techniques to help them live a healthier and more balanced life.
SMU’s Office of Human Resources also organised a community chat on 28 March 2025 called “Lean on, not just lean in”, hosted by Ms Karen Tay – founder of Inherent, a coach and author with experiences across governmental sectors in Singapore and startups in Silicon Valley. With an aim to address harmful gender-based biases, the session facilitated robust discussions about normalising the act of seeking help and how to create a culture of care for diverse needs. Participants walked away with a greater confidence to lean on and practical tools to build their support networks and champion help seeking initiatives.
Breaking down barriers
“EquiTable Talks 2025: Accelerate Action,” hosted by SMU Women's Connection (SWC), marked International Women's Day with female leaders from various fields, including United Women Singapore President Ms Ching Ne Tan and former ISACA Singapore President Ms Jenny Tan. The event featured two panel discussions on gender equity barriers across sectors like finance, public policy, tech, entrepreneurship, and law.
The first panel, “Women At The Table,” discussed women's impact in leadership and the challenges they face. Speakers stressed the importance of diverse perspectives in decision-making and outlined strategies to advance female leadership.
The second panel, “Equity in Empowerment,” examined the barriers faced by women and girls, from academic isolation to cultural expectations. Panellists shared practical solutions and personal experiences, emphasising self-advocacy, mentorship, and reframing weaknesses as strengths.
Both panels highlighted the need for sustainable, coordinated action at individual, organisational, and systemic levels to achieve gender equity. Key takeaways included the importance of representation in leadership, structural reforms, mentorship, and support networks.
This year's event was a milestone for SWC, with attendance more than doubling from previous years. The diverse industries and expertise represented enriched the dialogue, underscoring the value of intersectional perspectives. SWC looks forward to more meaningful conversations at next year’s International Women's Day event.
Empowering women in finance
Another significant event was the thought leadership forum hosted by the SMU Overseas Centre Jakarta, themed around trends in financial management. Speakers included SMU Chief Financial Officer Ms Yvonne Chan and Ms Melisa Hendrawati, Finance Director at Superbank. They not only shared insights on financial trends but also on balancing life’s many demands.
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of prioritisation for women, who often juggle multiple roles and responsibilities. In the finance sector, women are increasingly taking on pivotal roles, and as highlighted by Ms Chan, their impact is profound. The message was clear: it is crucial for women to make time for themselves and to build strong support networks.
With more women entering the professional realm, the expectation is that Indonesian women will occupy a higher number of senior positions in corporations and on boards. The session included a dynamic Q&A, primarily featuring women professionals as participants, and ended with a Ramadhan breaking fast gathering.
