Nikki Phinyapincha Empowering Trans Professionals Across Southeast Asia
November 17, 2023Trans professionals in Southeast Asia’s business world grapple with many challenges to secure employment opportunities, especially leadership roles, shares Nikki Phinyapincha, founder of Transtalents Consulting Group, a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) firm in Thailand, and WorkPride host.
Statistics from the World Bank & APTN survey (2018) show that 60% of Malaysians, 77% of Thais, and 85% of Vietnamese trans individuals, encountered job rejection, discrimination, and harassment. In the ASEAN region, LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs and employees face substantial barriers, including socio-economic discrimination and exclusion, legal obstacles, limited resources, heightened mental health challenges, and constrained access to leadership opportunities to shape their own future. “This is not only hindering personal and professional growth but also robbing human capital of vital skills and knowledge essential for advancing regional economies and societies,” emphasized Nikki.
A study, carried out in 2021 during the pandemic by the Williams Institute, confirmed that trans professionals are twice as likely to be unemployed, compared to their cisgender peers. A more recent piece of global research, carried out by Catalyst, also showed that seven out of ten (69%) of people who are trans or identify outside the gender binary are more likely to have experienced racism in their current job, compared to 51% of cisgender women of color and 50% of cisgender men of color.
Nikki is an example of someone who experienced discrimination in Asia. Despite being qualified for a managerial post that she applied for, Nikki believes she was rejected due to being LGBTQ+: “After a promising interview with the HR Director for an internal promotion to the manager role, I was told that despite my qualifications, the company had no policy for appointing a transgender individual to the manager role. My credibility was questioned, and I was advised to seek opportunities in other sectors such beauty, media, or entertainment.”
She responded by setting up Transtalents to empower LGBTQ+ professionals in the region. By partnering with global corporations, she has created over 50 initiatives, including the ASEAN Transgender Professional Leadership Program, to address socio-economic disparities for trans professionals through mentorship and seminars.
The challenges faced by the trans community across Asia are multifaceted, from discrimination and legal gaps to limited job prospects and entrepreneurship barriers, according to Nikki. She emphasizes the need for data-driven policies and inclusive practices to address these hurdles: “The call for systemic change in the organizations and society is my mission. People now seek genuine and meaningful change from their leaders, not superficial, inauthentic, or tokenism activities. It’s time for data-driven, concrete actions for sustainable and measurable results not PR buzz words.”
To be a truly diverse, inclusive, and sustainable organization, inclusive leaders in Asia “should reframe their vision to advance their DE&I strategies that address specific issues with an intersectionality lens in order to improve internal organization and scale impacts to the broader business community, the systemic change must be intentional, intersectional and measurable in long-term including building a diverse pool of future leaders,” adds Nikki.
Organizations in Asia must take proactive steps to enhance trans awareness and inclusion. But given the conservative environment, organizations must navigate LGBTQ+ issues sensitively, offering support within legal boundaries and promoting awareness cautiously.
She believes that workplaces can play an important role to improve acceptance and belonging in society for the trans community in the region. “Organizations across Asia can advance trans awareness and inclusion at work through varied approaches, considering the diverse legal and cultural landscapes across the region. In countries with more progressive environments, organizations can take proactive measures by fostering an inclusive and empowering environment for transgender employees to thrive in leadership positions,” explains Nikki. “This involves establishing comprehensive training, inclusive policies, and robust support networks. These efforts ensure equitable practices and provide necessary resources for the personal and professional development of transgender individuals, empowering them to utilize their skills effectively in leadership roles. Moreover, leadership endorsement and active community engagement play pivotal roles in strengthening and promoting inclusive cultures within these organizations.”
However, in nations constrained by legal or cultural sensitivities—in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore for example—organizations must navigate more “cautiously,” advises Nikki. “They can provide inclusive policies within legal boundaries, offer confidential support, and advocate for gradual change while respecting local laws and religious considerations. Subtle awareness initiatives and engagement with local and international communities within legal constraints where feasible foster understanding without violating cultural norms. This could involve non-discrimination clauses without specific reference to gender identity.”
In short, tailoring strategies to suit both progressive and conservative environments, organizations can gradually foster trans inclusion, while respecting legal and cultural nuances across Asia. Nikki's mission in this space transcends mere tokenism; she advocates for genuine, data-driven actions to achieve sustainable change for the trans community at work.
To mark Trans Awareness Week, Nikki is participating in several initiatives, including speaking engagements like the Corporate Innovation Summit (CIS) 2023 and the International Conference on Sexuality, highlighting trans economic empowerment. She also launched a social media campaign showcasing 16 trans professionals’ leadership journeys, challenging stereotypes this year. In fact, her commitment to promoting trans inclusion across Asia earned her a spot on this year’s Outstanding Role Model 100 LGBTQ+ Future Leaders list. You can connect with Nikki here.
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