As we celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March 2025, it is essential to recognise both achievements and ongoing struggles in political, economic and social leadership. Women are assuming more leadership roles in politics, business and culture, with Europe implementing policies to promote gender diversity and Asia seeing more women rise to influential positions. In Europe, more than 10 out of 50 countries currently having a female prime minister or head of state. In Southeast Asia, women’s participation in decision-making has reached an all-time high, with 23% of national parliament seats held by women in 2023, albeit below the global average of 27%. Most ASEAN countries have seen notable progress since 2015, especially Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam. Economic inclusion also plays a crucial role in advancing gender equality. According to analysts, in the EU, closing gender gaps could boost GDP per capita by 6.1% to 9.6% by 2050, while in Asia, increasing women’s participation in STEM fields is expected to drive economic growth and job creation.
However, significant barriers remain, such as structural and institutional factors, systemic biases and societal expectations, that continue to limit women’s participation in leadership. To address these challenges, we need to enhance gender-inclusive policies and challenge societal stereotypes. Various initiatives across Asia and Europe are working to promote gender equality. These include the Asia Women Leaders Program (AWLP), which has trained 73 senior women government officials from 24 countries, equipping them with the skills and networks needed to influence public policies. Additionally, the UNDP Gender Equality Initiatives support women’s leadership in public institutions through national action plans in Bhutan and Laos, as well as collaborative workshops to advance gender-inclusive policies. In Europe and Central Asia, the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy (2024-2025) focuses on closing the gender employment gap, increasing women’s representation in decision-making, promoting their participation in STEM and green jobs, and addressing the burden of unpaid care work.
ASEF, the only permanent institution of ASEM, aims to contribute to women’s empowerment through initiatives such as its Capacity-Building on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) programme. The three-day training, scheduled for May 2025 in Riga, Latvia, equips ASEM diplomats with the knowledge and tools to integrate a gender perspective into policymaking. Of note, ASEF appointed its first female and 9th Executive Director in 2024.
Share with us your views on the situation for women, including in your countries.
Sources:
Thelma, C.C. and Ngulube, L. (May 2024), Women in Leadership: Examining Barriers to Women’s Advancement in Leadership Positions, Asian Journal of Advanced Research and Reports.
ASEAN Secretariat, 2024, ASEAN Gender Outlook 2024, ASEAN and UN Women
UNDP, 2024, UNDP Gender Equality Strategy for Europe and Central Asia (2024-2025), UNDP
EIGE, 2024, Economic Benefits of Gender Equality in the European Union, EIGE
“ASEM’s recognition of International Women’s Day is truly inspiring! By highlighting the importance of women leaders in ASEAN and the EU, ASEM is showcasing how gender equality drives progress across regions. Women’s increasing leadership in politics, business, and STEM fields demonstrates their transformative impact on society.”
Hi Sarah!Thank you for your thoughtful comment! ASEM deeply values the transformative impact of women leaders across ASEAN and the EU. Recognizing their contributions in politics, business, and STEM is central to our mission of promoting gender equality and driving progress across regions.