Six takeaways on the pursuit of gender equity from 3 amazing Singaporean women… and Barbie

THERE is power in gathering around the table for a conversation – to exchange, learn and crystallise ideas. That’s precisely why I launched At the Table, a new LinkedIn series that brings together diverse thought leaders and casts their unique viewpoints on topics that truly matter.

In the first episode, equity takes centre stage. I had Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo, Georgette Tan from United Women Singapore, and Roshni Cheung from The Asian Parent join me to discuss the challenges women come across in their careers.

Coincidentally, this episode aired the same day I watched the box office smash hit Barbie with my daughter. A line Margot Robbie (who plays the titular character in the movie) spoke caught my attention – she said: “I want to do the imagining, not be the idea.” It struck me particularly because I noticed how, in both the movie and the video series, we were “doing the imagining” in the arena of making meaningful improvements in gender equity.

I’d like to share, from both shows, six takeaways that also happen to be things we can all do to level the playing field:

1) Embrace change fearlessly

In the world of work, embracing change is key. The workplace is evolving to provide women with opportunities to thrive, lead, and succeed in traditionally male-dominated fields. This same spirit propels Barbie to explore new career paths with daring curiosity. Barbie is a scientist, a firefighter, a computer engineer, and even a space explorer.

As Minister for Communications and Information and patron of SG Women in Tech Josephine Teo shares in At the Table: “One of the things I believe we must really get round to doing is to encourage women that if they are given the opportunities to step up, they should try to give it a go; and then put in place the support that is needed to help these women succeed.”

2) Use confidence as a catalyst

As Georgette Tan said during our conversation, “competency is not the issue, it’s confidence”.

Confidence isn’t just about knowing, it’s about owning your abilities, ideas and qualities. Women possess incredible capabilities, yet we waver on our self-assurance.

Whether it’s practising public speaking, seeking out mentor guidance, or embracing failure as a stepping stone for growth, we must build confidence to conquer diverse roles.

Confidence isn’t just empowering, it’s our secret weapon for shattering those glass ceilings.

3) Equity versus equality

Roshni Cheung shared a great analogy of equitability as opposed to equality: equality is giving everyone the same blue jacket, while equity is about recognising diverse preferences, ensuring each person gets a jacket that fits them best – whether it’s blue, pink, or no jacket at all.

Similarly, in the movie Barbie, we see extremes — over-the-top masculinity and hyper-femininity, bringing home this point. In the real world, women juggle diverse challenges, from work commitments to personal relationships with friends and family.

Work-life harmony is possible. It means we have a greater appreciation for the value that everyone brings, even if it is slightly different from the majority. It’s about creating a world where every step forward feels comfortable for all.

4) Allies: a unifying force

As a working mum of three, I know the importance of having allies, and having a supportive ecosystem begins with families and communities.

Minister Josephine Teo’s point that “men in various capacities need to chip in, for us to be fully effective at work” reflects what I’ve experienced. Just as Ken (eventually) played a significant role in Barbie’s journey, men can be powerful advocates for gender equity.

As fathers, brothers, partners, husbands, and allies, their understanding of women’s challenges is instrumental in creating a fairer, more inclusive world. It’s about weaving a network of support that uplifts us all, regardless of gender.

5) Celebrate your journey

Why shouldn’t women be vocal and proud of our victories? Roshni said this during our chat: “I don’t want my daughter growing up in a world where she feels that she can’t be proud of her own achievements, and that she doesn’t have a representative or a role model that looks like her, that acts like her, that talks like her”.

Embracing our wins and setting ourselves as role models reinforces a resounding truth: our milestones aren’t just for us, but they inspire others and are a visible indication of our progress towards equity.

Sharing our triumphs reinforces the notion that everyone deserves recognition for their contributions, and no one (man or woman) should have to hide their victories.

6) Final credits: an ongoing tale of progress

As I watched the closing credits roll, one thing became clear – our journeys aren’t over. Just like how Minister Josephine, Georgette, Roshni and so many other female leaders continue their respective pushes for women’s rights at the workplace and in society at large, we must keep the conversation about gender equity alive and take steps to close the gender gap.

How can we do this? It’s often the small actions that make a big difference.

It can start with us keeping this discussion going within our own communities.

Whether it’s at a casual weekend brunch with our friends, or in professional settings like mentoring or internship programmes – these moments matter. They foster a sense of belonging, making a genuine impact by supporting and uplifting one another.

Together, we can break barriers and ignite change to celebrate the potential of women.

Feon Ang is managing director, Apac, at LinkedIn