Uniting for Progress: The Asian-Pacific Region’s Commitment to Gender Equality’s Future
Distinguished guests, let me start by expressing my sincere appreciation to Thailand for hosting this pivotal gathering, a nation that exemplifies women’s leadership in the region. The path towards gender equality is one of both progress and persistent challenges. We stand today at a critical juncture. .
We see remarkable strides, like those taken by Thailand, where nearly a quarter of CEOs are women – a testament to Thailand’s commitment to empowering women in leadership. We see the strength of collective action in the 13 countries already implementing National Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security; and through ASEAN’s regional blueprint. These are vital foundations for peace and shared prosperity.
## Combine Advancing Rights with an Unwavering Focus on Impact
Yet, even alongside these successes, we must acknowledge that the world’s commitment to this crucial agenda has wavered. Our latest global figures on Sustainable Development Goals paint a stark picture: we are racing against time to ensure that true gender equality and women’s empowerment are not merely aspirational rhetoric, but lived realities for all women and girls, everywhere.
The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrably worsened existing inequalities. Millions, especially women and girls, have been driven into extreme poverty. Landscape across the Asia-Pacific region – a region with the highest vulnerability to climate change — envision a reality where 129 poor women could face poverty for every 100 poor men.
Making matters more precarious, women in almost all sub-regions of the Asia and Pacific continue to face substantial barriers to economic progress. A stifling reflection of this reality is that three in every five commercially active women are trapped in informal work, most lacking social protection.
Moreover, the limitations imposed by the gaps in STEM roles significantly limit women’s participation in the fast-growing sectors of the 21st century. The unfinished agenda weighs heavily on us.
We are not simply isolated incidents, fueling inequalities, and climate change in particular deals a disproportionate blow to the world’s most vulnerable populations, and it is a cause of deep concern that girls and women often bear the brunt of these shocks.
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Turning Words into Action: Blueprint for a More Equitable Future
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How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted women in the Asia-Pacific region?
## Uniting for Progress: A Conversation on Gender Equality in the Asia-Pacific
**Host:** Welcome back to the Summit. Joining us now is Alex Reed, a leading voice on gender equality in the Asia-Pacific region. Alex Reed, thank you for being with us today.
**Alex Reed:** It’s a pleasure to be here and contribute to this important discussion.
**Host:** As we’ve heard, the Asia-Pacific region showcases both remarkable progress and persistent challenges on the path to gender equality. Can you elaborate on this complex landscape?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. We are seeing inspiring strides, like Thailand’s impressive number of female CEOs, which demonstrates a commitment to women’s leadership. The implementation of National Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security by 13 countries, alongside ASEAN’s regional blueprint, are crucial foundations for peace and shared prosperity. However, we cannot ignore the stark reality presented by global figures on Sustainable Development Goals [1]. We are racing against time to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment become a reality for all. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequalities, pushing millions, particularly women and girls, into extreme poverty.
**Host:** The impact of the pandemic is undeniable. What are some of the specific challenges women in the Asia-Pacific region are facing?
**Alex Reed:** The Asia-Pacific region is highly vulnerable to climate change, and projections indicate a disproportionate impact on women. We could see 129 poor women facing poverty for every 100 poor men, highlighting the intersectionality of gender and climate change. Furthermore, women across most sub-regions continue to face substantial barriers to economic progress. Three out of five commercially active women in the region are in vulnerable employment [1], a situation that underscores the need for robust policies supporting women’s economic empowerment.
**Host:** Given these challenges, what are some key priorities for the region moving forward?
**Alex Reed:** We need to prioritize a multi-pronged approach. Strengthening data collection and analysis on gender equality is crucial to inform effective policies. Investing in education and skills development for women is essential for their economic empowerment. Promoting women’s leadership and political participation is vital for driving systemic change.
**Host:** Thank you, Alex Reed, for your insightful perspective. Your words serve as a powerful reminder that achieving gender equality in the Asia-Pacific region requires unwavering commitment and collaborative action.
**[1] https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/gender-equality/the-power-of-parity-advancingwomens-equality-in-asia-pacific**
