Astrid makes a powerful case for greater empowerment of women. She identifies the cost of women not participating fully in Asian economies and the opportunities and the potential benefits of their greater involvement. Illustrating from her own experience other women’s success stories, she identifies education, access to affordable, quality childcare and elder care, and technology as key to empowering women. She concludes that Asia cannot reach its full potential if half of its population is held back. Her talk is in English.

Dr. Astrid S. Tuminez is Microsoft’s Regional Director for Corporate, External and Legal Affairs (Southeast Asia). Former positions include being Vice‐Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore and a senior consultant to the U.S. Institute of Peace. Her written works include “Russian Nationalism Since 1856” and “Rising to the Top? A Report on Women’s Leadership in Asia.” She sits on the boards of the Singapore American School, the Bank of the Philippine Islands and advises the Global Economic Symposium, the Institute on Disability and Public Policy for ASEAN and the Asian Women’s Leadership University project. She holds a Master’s from Harvard, a Ph.D from M.I.T., is married and has three children.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx