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Building a Stronger Future: Why Women’s Participation in Infrastructure Makes Economic Sense
H.E. Koy Sodany, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, speaking to mentors and mentees at the Cambodia Women in Infrastructure Leadership closing event.
Author: Becky-Jay Harrington, Director Climate and Inclusion
This International Women’s Day, Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) is spotlighting the more than 100 women in infrastructure that the initiative has worked with through its women in infrastructure leadership activities, providing dedicated training and mentoring programs.
Women’s participation in infrastructure governance, planning, and development is not just a matter of equity—it is an economic imperative for Australia and Southeast Asian countries. Research consistently shows that gender diversity in leadership and workforce composition enhances innovation, business performance, and overall economic growth.
A survey of companies in Southeast Asia found that companies with over 20% female representation in management generate approximately 10% higher innovation revenues, while diverse teams improve customer service, brand perception, and talent attraction. Despite this, women make up only 15% of CEO and board-level positions, highlighting a missed opportunity for inclusive decision-making.
Recognising this truth, international frameworks like the G20 Principles for Quality Infrastructure Investment and ASEAN’s Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework underscore the necessity of integrating gender equity and equality into infrastructure development. Gender equality is a shared commitment of Australia and Southeast Asian partners. Australia and all ASEAN Member States are party to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), reinforcing our commitment to global gender equality norms.
Australia’s international development strategy also reinforces this commitment, with a target for 80% of investments to effectively address gender equality. By embedding women’s perspectives into infrastructure projects, Southeast Asia can foster more sustainable, inclusive, and economically resilient development.
Concretely, this commitment is reflected in women in infrastructure activities led by Australia’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I). To lift women’s participation and influence in infrastructure governance, planning, and delivery in the region, P4I works with government partners across the region to identify and support women seeking to build careers in infrastructure. This includes enhancing leadership capacity, decision-making, and communication skills through targeted training programs, while fostering inclusive management practices to promote gender equality.
Cambodian Leadership Addressing Barriers to Women’s Participation
Cambodia’s infrastructure sector is undergoing a transformation, with female leaders stepping into roles traditionally dominated by men. For decades, cultural norms and systemic barriers, such as a lack of representation and limited opportunities, have prevented women from advancing into leadership positions. In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) and P4I launched a mentorship program aimed at empowering women within the Ministry. By connecting Cambodian infrastructure professionals with women leaders from across Australia’s transport infrastructure sector, the initiative provided mentorship, skill-building, and practical experience, including a study tour to Sydney that proved to be a turning point for many participants.
This mentorship program offered these women fresh perspectives, practical knowledge, and the confidence to tackle greater responsibilities. It also illuminated the broader importance of women’s leadership in reshaping Cambodia’s infrastructure landscape. In a sector traditionally viewed as “men’s work,” women continue to face scepticism, both from their colleagues and from themselves. Kim Leang Y, the Director of International Cooperation at MPWT, described how societal expectations often discourage women from pursuing roles that require frequent site visits or leadership on international missions.
During the visit to Sydney, the women gained not only technical insights but also the confidence to confront these biases. Witnessing the successes of their Australian counterparts showed them that perseverance, strategic training, and self-belief could dismantle long-standing barriers.
Chan Sokol, who has worked at MPWT for nearly two decades, shared that the mentor program helped her enhance communication within her team and navigate leadership responsibilities with greater effectiveness. For Kim Leang Y, the training reinforced her belief that leadership is not limited to formal titles. The program strengthened her confidence in decision-making and gave her the tools to mentor others.
Women at the top lead to better outcomes for all
These individual stories highlight how empowering women in leadership creates a ripple effect. When women are given the tools and confidence to succeed, they inspire others to do the same, challenging stereotypes and opening doors for future leaders. Beyond the personal growth of participants, the impact of this initiative extends to Cambodia’s infrastructure development as a whole. Inclusive leadership leads to more innovative and efficient solutions. Women leaders bring unique perspectives, often prioritising the needs of marginalised groups to ensure that infrastructure projects serve the entire population. Improved infrastructure planning results in safer and more accessible transportation systems, creating economic opportunities and enhancing the quality of life, particularly for underserved communities. By fostering a more inclusive leadership environment, Cambodia’s infrastructure sector benefits from increased productivity, stronger community connections, and more comprehensive planning.
The benefits of female leadership are well-documented. Diverse leadership teams consistently outperform homogeneous ones, not just in productivity but also in profitability. Investing in women’s leadership is more than a question of equity—it is a strategy for economic and societal growth. By breaking barriers, women leaders in Cambodia are paving the way for a future where infrastructure serves everyone. This not only addresses systemic inequities but also unlocks the full potential of Cambodia’s workforce, driving long-term progress. With continued advocacy and support, women leaders will continue to reshape the narrative, proving that their voices are essential to building a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous Cambodia.
Unlocking the Full Potential of Women in Infrastructure
The progress made in Cambodia’s infrastructure sector underscores a broader truth: when women are empowered, economies and communities thrive. The success of mentorship programs and leadership training initiatives demonstrates that targeted interventions can break long-standing barriers and accelerate women’s participation in decision-making. However, to sustain and expand this momentum, ongoing investment in gender-inclusive policies, skills development, and workplace culture transformation is essential.
Governments, private sector leaders, and development partners must continue to champion women’s leadership in infrastructure governance, planning, and delivery. By embedding gender perspectives into policy frameworks and project design, Southeast Asia can create infrastructure that is more sustainable, inclusive, and economically beneficial for all. The evidence is clear—diverse leadership fosters innovation, improves efficiency, and enhances economic resilience.
Building a future where infrastructure development reflects the needs and contributions of all members of society is not just an aspirational goal; it is an economic necessity. By committing to meaningful change, Southeast Asia can unlock the full potential of its workforce, ensuring that infrastructure serves as a powerful driver of growth, equity, and shared prosperity.
