Created By: Natalia Figge and Priyanka Kapar

Shaping a gender-just future for Asia

The Asia-Pacific region is known for its cultural, political and economic diversity. However, despite significant strides in social and economic growth, gender justice still remains a distant goal. Eastern Asia and the Pacific is ranked fourth out of the eight regions in the Global Gender Gap Report with an overall gender parity score of 69.2 per cent, while Southern Asia ranks seventh with a score of 63.7 per cent (World Economic Forum, 2024). From wage gaps and limited social protection to underrepresentation and policy gaps, the complexities of gender-based discrimination are woven into the fabric of societal structures and economic systems across the region.

Recognizing the persistent gaps in realizing gender justice in Asia, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Regional Project on Gender Justice in 2022 convened a policy lab titled Rebuild Beyond Exploitation (RBE): Visions and Policies for a Gender-Just Future in Asia. The project aimed to address systemic gender injustices through a variety of formats and a set of policy recommendations designed to foster an equitable and just society. This initiative served as a platform to create a roadmap for transformative change to tackle the root causes of gender inequality. The outcome of this process, Asia in Transformation: Visions and Policies for a Gender-Just Future, was launched in September 2024.
 

Unveiling the depths of gender inequality

Women in Asia and the Pacific face substantial barriers in accessing equal rights and opportunities. Where policies have been progressive, implementations have been slow or inadequate. Economically, women encounter challenges such as job precarity, workplace discrimination, limited opportunities for upskilling, low representation in trade unions, pay inequity, inadequate or non-existent social protection, and increasing digital gender gaps. Additionally, women in the region are time poor as unpaid care work falls disproportionally on their shoulders.

Politically, the representation of women remains a continuous challenge. Although quotas and reserved positions for women have contributed to increasing the political participation of women, ensuring their influence in decision-making spheres is still a challenge. This under-representation restricts their ability to impact policymaking, thereby hindering the development and implementation of inclusive policies that address the needs of diverse people.

Compounding these issues are deeply ingrained patriarchal norms and traditional cultural practices that perpetuate gender-based violence and discrimination. In many Asian countries, comprehensive sexuality education, access to contraceptives for unmarried women and adolescents, safe abortion services, and other sexual and reproductive health services are still lacking; often leading to stigmatization around open discussions of topics related to sexuality and pleasure.

To overcome these disparities, a deliberate effort towards systemic change is needed, one that not only addresses superficial causes but also deeply examines and addresses the structural causes of persistent gender injustice.
 

A call for systemic change

A gender-just Asia requires conscious efforts from all in addressing the root causes of prevalent inequalities. Therefore, the RBE Policy Lab’s output Asia in Transformation offers a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at addressing these deep-seated issues. These recommendations focus on ensuring equality in access and opportunities while promoting social and cultural norms to advance gender justice across the region.

Based on the analysis of gender justice in the garment sector, the policy lab advocates for comprehensive economic reforms. These reforms include policies designed to strengthen the enforcement of labour laws, ensure equal pay for equal work, and improve working conditions, particularly in sectors with high female representation. Enforcing fair labour standards and promoting women's economic empowerment through targeted support measures are essential steps toward achieving greater economic equity.

Expanding social protection systems is also a key focus of the project. To address gaps exposed by recent economic crises, it is essential to provide comprehensive social safety nets that support all individuals, particularly those in informal and vulnerable sectors. This expansion aims to deliver robust support to those most affected by economic fluctuations. An inclusive and holistic social security system requires strong political will and a revenue mechanism that enhances the living standards of all.

Combating gender-based violence and sexual harassment in the workplace is another critical area of concern. Strengthening legal frameworks and support systems to protect survivors is fundamental, including the creation and enforcement of laws that provide protection and accessible support services. The revitalization and transformation of trade unions are important not only to collectively address these issues but also to proactively support inclusive and safe workspaces.

In addition, women in Asia disproportionately bear the burden of unpaid care work at home, which not only makes them time poor but also impacts their access to opportunities in paid employment. The policy lab analyses paternity leave policies in Asia and calls for inclusive parental leave policies that ensure men actively take part in child care, thereby challenging entrenched gender stereotypes. It advocates for equitable redistribution of caregiving roles.

The project also emphasizes the importance of ensuring access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services. It advocates for policies that recognize pleasure and positive sexuality into the discourse on sexual and reproductive health rights, broadening the focus beyond basic family planning to encompass a more holistic approach.
 

Conclusion: Inspiring collective action

The outputs from the FES’ RBE Policy Lab, Asia in Transformation, underscore that achieving gender justice in Asia requires more than incremental policy adjustments—it demands a systemic overhaul of how power and resources are distributed. Governments, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders can benefit from these forward-thinking recommendations to create a more just and equitable future in the region.

The insights and recommendations from Asia in Transformation can be valuable for anyone working towards transformative change towards gender justice. Our societies are continuously evolving, with new challenges emerging regularly. Gender justice should be a priority in addressing these challenges so that it does not remain merely an aspiration but becomes a tangible reality.