Gender equality promotion in Apec pushed

THE PHILIPPINES will make a push for stronger promotion of gender equality before member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) this week, as it stressed on the key role of women’s economic empowerment to achieving inclusive growth.

The role of women as prime movers of inclusive growth will be highlighted during the Apec Women and Economy 2015 Fora to be held on Sept. 15 to 18 in Manila.

During the forum, measures to better promote gender integration and women’s economic empowerment to foster sustainable economic growth in Asia Pacific will be identified.

The Apec WE Fora form part of the efforts of women representatives from the region to take stock of past achievements, identify present and continuing barriers and appropriate interventions, and support future aspirations for women’s full participation.

“The Fora will focus on five priority areas where women’s potentials remain untapped. These are access to capital; access to markets; capacity and skills building; women’s leadership, and access to technology and innovation,” Trade Undersecretary Nora K. Terrado said in a statement.

“With the right training, education and policies, Apec economies can further leverage their existing workforce as well as invest in future productivity,” Terrado added.

The Apec WE Fora has three components. The first, the Policy Partnership on Women and the Economy (PPWE), provides a mechanism to integrate gender considerations into Apec activities. It also provides policy advice on gender issues and supports gender equality where relevant to the Apec process.

The second component is the Public Private Dialogue on Women and the Economy (PPDWE), which aims to harness increased participation of key players including the private sector, academe and civil society for dialogue and exchanges of learning and endeavors to advance gender integration, gender equality and women’s economic empowerment agenda in Apec.

The third component is the High Level Policy Dialogue on Women and the Economy (HLPD), which will bring together the ministers and heads of delegations of Apec member economies.

A “Women and the Economy Statement” will be adopted, which will deliver a set of actionable, measurable and concrete policy recommendations arising from the PPWE and PPDWE to be endorsed to the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meeting in November 2015.