Number Of Women's Leaders In The STEM Industry Increases, IBM: Have Bigger Empathy

JAKARTA - Women's contribution in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industry continues to increase. East Ventures data notes that in 2021, the contribution of women working in the Indonesian STEM industry is 40.6% (Men: 59.4%).

IBM Indonesia Corporate Social Responsibility Leader, Rina Suryani, assessed that the role of women is increasingly visible in various strategic positions, including in large technology companies.

He gave an example, several female leaders in technology companies, one of which is the IBM ASEAN General Manager (GM), which is currently occupied by a woman named Catherine Lian.

"So we have also adopted several leaders in our company (tech company) who are led by women as well," said Rina at the 2025 Women's Day Innovation Demo "Becoming a Changemaker in the AI Era: Women's Power in Professional Transformation" on Wednesday, December 10.

According to Rina, one of the important values that women bring to the STEM industry is empathy, especially in the decision-making process. She stated that women have greater empathy than men.

"So, there are many things, but what is certain is empathy, correct me if I'm wrong. Women have a greater sense of empathy, maybe yes, than men in decision makers," he explained.

Even so, he emphasized that both the abilities of women and men are basically equal, and that women leaders are not present because of differences in abilities, but because of the quality of leadership that deserves a strategic position.

"So some companies in Indonesia have also started to adopt, as if they already have female leaders. Many women leaders are already at the top of the leadership, even at technology companies," he said.