Bohol: The Philippines is hosting significant Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings focused on gender equality and women’s rights in Bohol from November 10 to 15, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) announced Monday. The high-level event aims to strengthen regional cooperation on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the protection of women and children across ASEAN Member States.

According to Philippines News Agency, the six-day event includes back-to-back meetings of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), and the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Steering Committee (AGMSC), followed by the ASEAN Conference on Gender-Responsive Budgeting. The theme ‘Shaping the Future of ASEAN: Women’s Leadership in Advancing People Empowerment, Regional Security, and Economic Prosperity’ underscores the event’s focus.

The Philippines currently serves as co-chair of both the ACW and ACWC and will assume the chairship of the ACW on the event’s first day. Discussions will address advancing women’s economic empowerment, tackling gender-based violence, implementing the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework, and promoting gender-responsive governance.

As ASEAN’s Vision Lead for Gender Mainstreaming, the PCW will spearhead the ASEAN Conference on Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) from November 14 to 15. The conference aims to enhance understanding and bolster the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting across ASEAN.

Representatives from ministries of women, finance, and planning of the 11 ASEAN Member States, along with ASEAN partners and experts, are participating in the meetings. A Compendium of GRB Practices in ASEAN will be developed as a key output of the conference to guide member states in effectively utilizing public resources to promote gender equality and inclusive development.

The ASEAN Secretariat, headed by Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, is also attending the meetings. The PCW highlighted that the week-long event reaffirms the Philippines’ leadership in promoting gender equality and its commitment to align ASEAN initiatives with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, aimed at fostering a resilient, innovative, and people-centered ASEAN.