Gender and Development
Discussion Paper Series No. 21
Harmful Traditional Practices in Three Countries of South Asia: culture, human rights and violence against women
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Gender Equality
Gender Equality
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite significant advances towards gender equality and women’s empowerment having been made in the region in recent years, many women continue to face discrimination and institutionalized legal and structural barriers to full and equal participation in society and the economy.
In many countries of the region, societal and cultural attitudes and beliefs continue to subordinate, disadvantage and endanger women. Violence against women remains pervasive throughout the region, manifesting itself in many forms. Full exercise of reproductive rights continues to be challenge in many contexts. Women’s participation in political decision-making remains low and their economic empowerment limited. Women are overrepresented amongst those living in poverty and those in more vulnerable and lower paid sectors of the labour market, particularly the informal sector, with little or no access to social protection and other entitlements.
In many countries of the region, societal and cultural attitudes and beliefs continue to subordinate, disadvantage and endanger women. Violence against women remains pervasive throughout the region, manifesting itself in many forms. Full exercise of reproductive rights continues to be challenge in many contexts. Women’s participation in political decision-making remains low and their economic empowerment limited. Women are overrepresented amongst those living in poverty and those in more vulnerable and lower paid sectors of the labour market, particularly the informal sector, with little or no access to social protection and other entitlements.
Our Response
ESCAP provides a critical intergovernmental platform for governments and other stakeholders in the region to accelerate the implementation of global gender equality commitments in follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women and regional implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Millennium Development Goals.
Our Work
In recognition of their cross-cutting nature, gender dimensions are integrated into the planning and implementation of all ESCAP’s work. ESCAP also dedicates specific work aimed at promoting women’s empowerment. To assist governments in formulating a strong governmental response to gender issues, ESCAP provides direct technical support and networking opportunities for national women’s machineries, the key governmental entities responsible for promoting gender equality and the advancement of women, to enable them to effectively integrate gender concerns into the development policy agenda.
ESCAP especially focuses upon women’s economic empowerment as a key strategy for promoting not only women’s economic independence but also as a driver of other forms of empowerment with significant multicountry projects being implemented. These projects involve capacity strengthening, partnership building and research on policy options for promoting women’s economic empowerment, particularly through entrepreneurship.
ESCAP also plays a key coordinating role in the area of gender equality for the UN system in the Asia-Pacific region by co-chairing, with UN Women, the Regional Coordination Mechanism Thematic Working Group on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.
United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) in Bangkok
25 Nov 2013
Recent Publications
Resources
19 Nov 2012
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31 Dec 2007
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I. Introduction II. Progress towards the MDGs in the ESCAP Region in Relation to Gender Equality III. Linking the MDGs to CEDAW and the BPfA IV. Complementary Targets and Indicators for Maximizing Linkages among MDGs, CEDAW and BPF to Strengthen Gender Equality V. Approaches to Adopting the MDGs at the National Level VI. Conclusions To download full paper
28 Feb 2007
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In light of the growing digital divide, there is a critical need to ensure that women have equitable access to the benefits and opportunities made possible by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and to leverage ICTs for women's empowerment and the promotion of gender equality. Gender-sensitive ICT policies must be applied to e-business given the rapid integration of ICTs into the business environment. This paper presents a study on gender and e-business in Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Thailand.
31 May 2010
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This paper was commissioned by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asian and the Pacific (hereafter ESCAP) as part of a global project entitled “Strengthening National Mechanisms for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women”. The project is a joint project between the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women and the five United Nations Regional Commissions. It aims to strengthen collaborations and synergies between different mechanisms at national level to facilitate the goals of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
1 Nov 2010
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Since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, there has been progress in some areas towards achieving gender equality in the Asia and Pacific region. Despite the progress made, however, women in the region continue to face discrimination and persistent constraints to achieving gender equality and empowerment. The snapshot of key issues and corresponding indicators presented in this chart highlight both selected challenges and priorities for action by Governments.
12 Feb 2013
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4 Dec 2012
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13 Jul 2012
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18 Sep 2009
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Regional policy document.
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) convened a High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to review the regional implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000) for the ESCAP region, from 16-18 November 2009 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok. The Outcome Document was adopted on 18 November 2009.
15 Sep 1995
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Global policy document.
United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was held in September 1995 in Beijing, China and adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) on 15 September 1995 aimed at achieving greater equality and advancing the situation of women and girls.United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was held in September 1995 in Beijing, China and adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) on 15 September 1995 aimed at achieving greater equality and advancing the situation of women and girls.