Over the past five years of hosting my podcast, I’ve had the privilege of hearing the stories of many women across Asia.
I’ve interviewed women from Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and even Mongolia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hawaii and Fiji.
Women building businesses.
Women leading communities.
Women creating opportunities for others.
And one thing has become very clear to me through all of these conversations.
No woman succeeds alone.
Behind Every Step Forward
Behind every step forward, there is usually someone who made that step possible. Someone who:
- opened a door
- shared knowledge
- offered ideas
- made an introduction
- offered encouragement
- spent time listening
- bought your product and didn’t ask for a discount or freebie
- spoke highly of you
- gave you an unsolicited testimonial
- created an opportunity that didn’t exist before
Sometimes we call it mentorship. Sometimes we call it support. But often, it’s simply someone choosing to say:
“Come in. There’s space for you here.”
Visibility Changes Things
This is something I care deeply about: visibility for women in our region.
Because when women are seen, their ideas travel further. Their work inspires someone who might never have encountered it otherwise. And new opportunities begin to appear — for themselves, and for others watching.
Sometimes gaining visibility means having the courage to step forward ourselves — to speak up, to share, to take up space without apology.
But sometimes it means using whatever platform we have to shine a light on someone else. To say: “this woman exists, this work matters, this voice deserves to be heard.”
Both matter. Both are acts of generosity.
Give Access. Give Knowledge. Give Opportunity.
These three lines are the theme of BABAE 2026, an event organised by Ask Lex PH Academy and supported by organisations including Women4Women and PHMoms — and they resonate with everything I’ve witnessed over five years of listening to women’s stories.
I’m honoured to be giving the keynote at BABAE 2026 this Saturday, 28 March at 9AM.
The conversation will centre on something that sits at the heart of my work: how women in Asia can become more visible — and how we can each play a role in making that happen for one another.
If you’re able to join us, I’d love to see you there.
Register for the Zoom event.
Who Opened a Door For You?
Think of a woman who opened a door for you.
Who shared something she didn’t have to share.
Who made room for you when she could have kept the space to herself.
Share this article with her and share how you’ve progressed as a result of the door that opened. And because gratitude opens even more doors.
Let’s celebrate the women who help other women move forward.
Because that’s how we all get further — together.