Breaking Barriers: Women Entrepreneurs in Innovative and Sustainable Businesses in ASEAN and Japan

The webinar "Breaking Barriers: Women Entrepreneurs in Innovative and Sustainable Businesses in ASEAN and Japan”, organized as part of the ASEAN-Japan Insights Series 2024 by the ASEAN-Japan Centre, aims to explore the entrepreneurial participation of women in tech and innovation landscape, how women can participate meaningfully in the economic development of ASEAN and Japan in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The webinar is divided into two sections. The first part will feature the overview on the trends and challenges on women in the innovative and sustainable enterprises in ASEAN and Japan. The second part of the webinar will involve a panel discussion featuring women entrepreneurs in the business of innovation, circular economy, and gender-lens investment—to share their perspectives, motivation, and experiences behind their entrepreneurial journeys, highlighting the intersection of women's contributions to entrepreneurship in the development of a smart economy. The panel will also address systemic factors exacerbating gender inequality, including issues related to accessing finance and credit, as well as harnessing innovative technologies. The discussion outcome will advocate for further studies of gender-sensitive ecosystems and resilient policy lessons. The webinar summary will also contribute to the upcoming roundtable of Young Women Entrepreneurs in ASEAN and Japan in November 2024 to be organized by the Centre.