Enhancing Women’s Economic Participation in ASEAN: The Strategic Role of Investing in the Care Economy

How Transforming Care Systems Can Drive Equitable Growth and Empowerment for Women Across Southeast Asia

Investing in the care economy offers Southeast Asian nations a vital opportunity to boost women’s economic participation, paving the way for more equitable growth and development across the region. This crucial insight comes from a recent data snapshot by UN Women, titled Women’s Economic Empowerment and the Care Economy in ASEAN, released in anticipation of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Women Leaders’ Summit in Vientiane on August 23. The findings strongly support the adoption of the new ASEAN Declaration on Strengthening the Care Economy and Resilience Towards the ASEAN Community Post-2025.

The Gender Disparity in ASEAN’s Labor Force

The snapshot reveals a persistent gender gap in labor force participation across Southeast Asia, with women’s participation rates consistently trailing behind those of men. This disparity is largely driven by the unequal distribution of care responsibilities within households, where women bear a disproportionate share. Moreover, many women engaged in paid caregiving roles are often found in the informal economy, where they face significant vulnerabilities, including job insecurity and lack of social protections.

Structural Barriers and the Need for Transformation

The report identifies deep-rooted structural barriers that impede gender equality in the workplace and underscores the necessity of transforming care systems to create more opportunities for women and girls. By expanding care services—such as kindergartens—and improving workplace support through measures like parental leave, the region can alleviate the time constraints that disproportionately burden women and girls with caregiving responsibilities. Such changes would enable them to participate more fully in both economic and societal spheres.

Advancing Labor Conditions and Social Protections

To enhance the status of women workers within the care economy, the snapshot advocates for expanded social protections and improved labor conditions. Key recommendations include raising wages, ensuring equal opportunities, and safeguarding workers from discrimination, harassment, and violence. These steps are essential for creating a more inclusive and fair work environment that respects and values the contributions of women.

Inclusive Transformation for Vulnerable Groups

The report emphasizes that efforts to overhaul care systems must be inclusive, particularly for vulnerable groups such as girls, single mothers, and elderly women. Ensuring that these populations are not left behind is critical to fostering a more equitable and resilient ASEAN community.

The Path Forward: Gender-Transformative Policies

Christine Arab, Regional Director of UN Women Asia and the Pacific, highlighted the pivotal role of gender data in exposing the unequal burden of unpaid care and domestic work on women—a significant obstacle to their economic empowerment. She stressed that addressing these structural barriers through gender-transformative policies and programs is essential to creating an environment where women can thrive, be empowered, and enjoy economic rights on par with their male counterparts.

Conclusion

The findings of the UN Women snapshot make a compelling case for ASEAN nations to prioritize investment in the care economy. By transforming care systems and addressing structural barriers to gender equality, Southeast Asia can not only enhance women’s economic participation but also drive sustainable, inclusive growth that benefits everyone. As the ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit approaches, the adoption of policies that strengthen the care economy and resilience is not just a step towards gender equality—it is a strategic imperative for the region’s future prosperity.

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