A Vibrant Community: ACM-Women’s Legacy of Inclusion in the Asia-Pacific Region

The Asia-Pacific region enjoys a vibrant women-in-computing community driven by ACM women and dedicated local chapters. From long-standing celebrations in the Philippines and India to the growing presence of professional and student networks across Australia and beyond, ACM-Women in the Asia-Pacific builds on strong initiatives.

Philippines: A Legacy of Inclusion

Since 2015, the ACMW Ph Celebration in the Philippines has been organized annually by the Computing Society of the Philippines’ Special Interest Group on Women in Computing (CSP SIG-WiC). This event has been a platform for inclusivity, recognition, and empowerment. Led this year by Rachel Edita O Roxas and Cherry Lyn Sta Romana, the CSP SIG-WiC community continues to ensure that women in computing receive the support and visibility they deserve.

The Computing Society of the Philipines through the Special Interest Grup on Women in Computing (CSP SIG-iC)

The success of ACM-Women in the Philippines is part of a larger movement across the Asia-Pacific, demonstrating the power of regional collaboration in championing diversity in computing.

Welcoming New Members, Honoring Past Leaders

The ACM-Women community in the Asia-Pacific is constantly evolving, welcoming new members who bring fresh perspectives and energy to its initiatives. Golnoush Abaei from RMIT, Australia joined ACM-Women after its outreach at ICER 2023 (International Computing Education Research Conference). Such outreach efforts help strengthen ACM-Women’s global and regional impact. Wendy Chen actively contributes to the ACM-W Professional Chapters Committee from Australia.

At the same time, ACM-Women recognizes the lasting contributions of past leaders whose dedication has shaped the current landscape. Leaders like Anuja Dharmaratne and Heena Timani, both former ACM-W India chairs, have played pivotal roles in advancing opportunities for women in computing, paving the way for new initiatives, stronger networks, and greater representation in tech fields. Heena Timani is the chapter chair in the newly revitalised ACM-W Asia Pacific Committee, which will support various initiatives in the ACM-W Asia-Pacific region, and is joined by Dr. Bimlesh Wadhwa (Regional Activities Chair), Dr Lay-Ki Soon (Communications Chair) and Dr Anuja Dharmaratne (Celebrations Chair).

As we celebrate these achievements, we look forward to the next chapter — a future where ACM-Women continues to drive inclusivity, representation, and opportunities for women in computing across Asia and the Pacific.

Get Involved!

Are you passionate about supporting women in computing? Here’s how you can contribute:

🔹 Attend ACM-Women events in your region
🔹 Join a local chapter or start one in your area
🔹 Mentor students and early-career professionals
🔹 Share your story and amplify women’s voices in computing

Every effort counts in building a diverse, inclusive future in computing. Let’s continue to celebrate, support, and advocate for women in tech!