At the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for greater representation and leadership of women in ASEAN’s economic and policy spheres, highlighting the need to invest in care infrastructure and political inclusion.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. highlighted the crucial role of women in Southeast Asia’s economies and innovation sectors during his speech at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit. He pointed out that women continue to be underrepresented in Cabinets and parliaments across ASEAN member states, resulting in a leadership gap in important policy-making arenas. Marcos urged women leaders in governance, civil society, business, and technology to persistently demand greater space and leadership opportunities. He emphasized the importance of reflecting women’s perspectives in policies, institutions, and investments, stating that women are not merely beneficiaries but active leaders and innovators shaping ASEAN’s future. Marcos also drew attention to the ASEAN Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, asserting that women’s inclusion in decision-making creates more durable peace agreements and more inclusive rebuilding efforts. Additionally, the President stressed the economic significance of the care economy, which is often overlooked. He noted that unpaid care work disproportionately falls on women, limiting their workforce participation, particularly in non-traditional fields. Investing in care infrastructure and redistributing care responsibilities, he argued, will unlock billions of dollars in economic potential for the region. The Philippines currently holds the ASEAN Chairmanship and has recently hosted the 48th ASEAN Summit, with the 49th Summit scheduled for November. This context underscores the country’s commitment to advancing women’s economic inclusion and leadership within ASEAN.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1004199/keep-demanding-space-marcos-highlights-asean-women-s-role-in-economy-innovation/story/