156) and Maternity Protection Convention (No. 111), Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention (No. A resource package that contains technical papers presented at the Fifth South Asia Regional Ministerial Conference â Celebrating Beijing Plus Ten. Launched in 2018, J-PALâs Gender sector addresses these disparities by producing cross-cutting insights on promoting gender equality and women and girlsâ empowerment, and on how norms related to gender affect the outcomes of social programs. Many South Asian countries have ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) gender equality Conventions such as Equal Remuneration Convention (No. Huge disparities by region, caste, class, and income affect the use of maternal and child health services in South Asia. The brutal rape of a young woman on a bus in Delhi in 2012 lit a spark of outrage across the world. For instance, to combat the high dropout rate, the state budget supported secondary education and non-formal education for 62,000 adolescent girls in West Bengal, India. The findings are based on the Forumâs latest Global Gender Gap Report, which measures to what extent women are held back by factors relating to economics, politics, education and health in 135 countries. The proportion of deliveries attended by skilled birth attendants is as low as 18% in Bangladesh, 19% in Nepal, and 20% in the Lao PDR. In 2008, Global Fund for Women launched the Breakthrough Project â a three-year, $2.2 million investment to catalyze strategic, breakthrough actions to advance gender equality in Asia and the Pacific. 2010. In fact, at least 56% believe that gender equality in South Korea is very important. In all South Asian countries, patriarchal values and social norms keep gender inequalities alive. Gender Inequality in South Asia. Gender equality remains a distant pursuit for much of the Asia-Pacific region, despite the economic and social benefits. UNICEF also established Accelerated Learning Programs in remote areas disrupted by insecurity and displacement, providing learning opportunities for 31,800 excluded and over-age children in Pakistan. This reduces their ability to demand fulfillment of their rights to education, health and protection. Social norms in South Asia prioritise a son receiving higher education, so the girl child often loses out on continuing her education. It is imperative to integrate a gender perspective across all UNICEF programmes to promote the value and empowerment of women and children in South Asia.Â, As discriminatory practices are entrenched in social norms, UNICEF focuses on activities that instigate behavioural changes at the community level. In her presentation, HDR lead author Jeni Klugman, Director of Human Development Report Office, stated that South Asia has an average loss of 74 percentâthe worst losses in any regionâbased on the Gender Inequality Index. Meanwhile, an Asia-specific HDR also highlights womenâs economic, legal, and political rights and how they impact human development in the region. In South Asia, UNICEF works to strengthen country level partnerships to advance gender equality in education. There is also optimism that times are changing in South Korea. By Anthony Fensom for The Diplomat October 10, 2017 Although South Asia has made remarkable progress in terms of human development in recent years, the region still faces significant gender disparities. We work with our partners to identify and respond to barriers and bottlenecks that continue to fuel gender differences in education, health, water and sanitation, nutrition and national policies. In fact, in the entire South Asia, only war-torn Afghanistan has a worse ranking than India. 183). Men get sent to the high quality schools while women are placed in government run schools. Progress on gender equality is especially needed in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Of the 689 million children living in absolutely poverty around the world, almost half live in South Asia. In response to the young woman's death and the protests that followed, the contributors analyze the position of women in South Asia, the issue of violence, women's political activism and gender inequalities. Asia Society takes no institutional position on policy issues and has no affiliation with any government. Gender inequality in many communities and countries remains a major barrier to human development. Gender equality and food security in rural South Asia. View online/download. A brutal gang-rape of a young woman in India in 2012 caused a global outcry against rising brutal violence against women. In response to the young woman's death and the protests that followed, the contributors analyze the position of women in South Asia, the issue of violence, women's political activism and gender inequalities. The two-day Forum brought together more than 100 participants, including 69 Australia Awards scholars selected through a competitive process. The United Nations Development Programmeâs GII measures the human development costs of gender inequality. 100), Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. If the girl child manages to overcome health issues and gets a basic education, it is unlikely she will escape child marriage â in the region, 1 in 2 girls are married before the age of 18. The latest findings follow Decemberâs â Global Gender Gap Report 2018 â by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which gave the Asia-Pacific region ⦠Discriminatory social norms and structural factors result in a neglect of girls and womenâs rights throughout all areas of life. In 2018, Pakistan was ranked at 148 out of 149 countries, Nepal 105th, and India 108th. Gender-responsive Education in the Context of COVID-19: Framework and Progressive Standards for South Asia, UNICEF South Asia Gender Mainstreaming Strategy 2018 - 2021, Five Actions for Gender Equality in the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Response: Technical Note, A New Era for Girls - One pager info-graph, Leave No Girl Behind Webinar Series for South Asia - Thematic Review, International Day of the Girl 2020 South Asia Challenge, Week 1: Alternative Education Approaches and Gender Equity in the COVID-19 Response, Week 2: Understanding Violence, Safety and Protection for Girlsâ¯, Week 3: Afghanistan: Community-Based Education (CBE) and Equity Issues around Girlsâ Education, Week 4: Skills Building, School to Work Transitions, and Girlsâ Empowerment, Immunization and Gender: A Practical Guide to Integrate a Gender Lens into Immunization Programmes, Guidelines on Responsible representation and reporting of violence against women and violence against children, UNICEF ROSA GBViE Virtual Learning Series, Leave No Girl Behind Webinar Series (July/August 2020). Australia Awards aims for ⦠Women and girls in many societies are facing major problems which are as a result of gender inequality. Women make up less than five percent of the police force and less than 10 percent of judges in South Asia â reflecting the strength of social norms and the disparity in justice systems.Â, Both girls and boys are affected by the prevalence of violence, sexual abuse and harassment in South Asia. Gender equality. Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network, Official UNDP 2/11 PowerPoint presentation, Jeni Klugman's 2/11 PowerPoint description, Asia Society Museum: The Asia Arts & Museum Network. The list is regularly updated to include the latest information. Learn more. UN Assistant Secretary-General and UNDP Director for Asia & the Pacific Ajay Chhibber described the need to focus on three strategic areas in womenâs rights and empowerment: building economic power, promoting political voice, and advancing legal rights. Languages available: English. UNICEF/2015/Nybo. Bibliographic information Geographic coverage: India. Although Bhutan is a middle-income country, it still has a high rate of women giving birth before the age of 18.Â. In Nepal, an inter-generational dialogue lead by fathers was held as part of a global campaign to end child marriage. References. Laws that are meant to ensure justice fail to treat men and women equally and fairly.Â, Ingrid-Gabriela Hoven, World Bank Executive Director for Germany, pointed out that reproductive health, primary and secondary education, and economic opportunities are still big challenges for women today. We collaborate with the United Nations Girlsâ Education Initiative (UNGEI) Secretariat to provide technical support and knowledge management to implement programmes on girlsâ education and gender equality at the country level. 111), Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention (No. At the regional level, governments highlighted three key areas of progress, namely (a) strengthening gender equality in national governments and governance; (b) addressing violence against women and girls, and (c) In South Asia, more women die in childbirth - 500 for every 100,000 live births - than in any other part of the world except Sub-Saharan Africa. Source: ADB. Globally, nearly 690 million people were hungry in 2019. Ahead of the World Economic Forum on East Asia, which takes place this week in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, below is a list of the five most gender equal countries in South-East Asia. We work with our country offices across the region to support government commitment to document and act on complaints received about the violation of child rights and discrimination against women. There are good reasons large companies want to be leaders in workplace gender ⦠Mainstream media should latch on to this idea to the same degree it has latched on to climate change, Hoven argued, and recommended the economic argument for gender equality as the best means for doing so. UNICEF is committed to strengthening these institutions by providing technical assistance, quality assurance, oversight and monitoring support.Â. And we ensure that their programmes integrate stronger gender strategies with a rights based approach. Additionally, Asia ranks second lowest (next to the Arab states) in women's political voice. This affects the ability of duty-bearers in fulfilling these rights. In South Asia, a preference for sons means that the girl child must struggle twice as hard to survive and fulfill her potential. Notice published 23 October 2014. Bangladesh has the highest rate of child marriage at 52 percent, followed by India at 47 percent, Nepal at 37 percent, and Afghanistan at 33 percent. But the HDR's new Gender Inequality Index shows South Asia in particular trailing behind on the critical measure of gender equality. When the annual Bloomberg Gender Equality Index was released in January, it included 34 Asian companies out of a total of 325. The majority affected people are girls and women in the society since they have not yet gained gender equity. The panelists agreed that in order to move forward, pressure must be placed on local actors across Asia to advocate for women's rights and empowerment. Cambridge University Press. Since 2006, the World Economic Forumâs Global Gender Gap Index has raised awareness of gender disparities that exist around the world. 100), Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (No. Breaking Through: Gender equality in Asia & the Pacific. 183). Cultural shifts over the last 40 years mean that Southeast Asia currently has a female workforce participation rate of 42%, which is higher than the global average of ⦠For example, women tend to be less educated, education to men is more important. WASHINGTON, DC, February 11, 2011 â On its 20th anniversary, the United Nations Development Programme's annual Human Development Report (HDR) finds that Asia has progressed fastest in terms of human well-being since 1970, with China, Indonesia, South Korea, Laos, and Nepal surging ahead. A brutal gang-rape of a young woman in India in 2012 caused a global outcry against rising brutal violence against women. Asian economies that recognize the contribution gender equality makes to their economic success could lead the way in shrinking the gap further. Paths to 2015: MDG ⦠But the HDR's new Gender Inequality Index shows South Asia in particular trailing behind on the critical measure of gender equality. A new, independent evaluation of the project documents impact and captures learning. The lowest is 129th. Margaret Alston, Women, Political Struggles and Gender Equality in South Asia, Palgrave Macmillan, 2014, 280 p., ISBN : 9781137390561. Reproductive health is also considered the biggest issue in South Asia, with its above average maternal mortality rate, according to Klugman. At its current rate of progress, it will take South Asia a whole millennium to reach gender equality in the workplace, according to the latest World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report. Gender, (in)equality, South Asia, equal opportunity Gender (in)equalities in workplaces have emerged as a key concern in the con-temporary world of work with concepts and practices such as diversity manage-ment, equal treatment, equal opportunity, human rights and human dignity having gained immense popularity and advocacy. Publisher's presentation. Girls are systematically disadvantaged across the region as structural inequalities and the low status of women affect their rights. Hoven argued that basic services are still not available to women; wherein women are either deliberately excluded, or women find no time or resources to use market opportunities (due to their traditional domestic roles and lack of education).Â. Chhibber's report finds that the richest Asian countries show higher gender inequality, such as China and India. Klugman found that women lag behind men in all dimensions captured by the report, particularly in parliamentary representation, education, and labor force participation. East Asia and the Pacific fare better with the lowest loss among developing regions, with a relatively low adolescent fertility rate and high female representation in government. Advancing workplace gender equality (WGE) improves business profitability and growth, leading to stronger economies. American women have the freedom many Indian women dream of. English; Order printed/published version. Investing in Women has been working closely with companies in four countries to understand the dynamics and hindrances behind improving workplace gender equality in Southeast Asia. equality and womenâs empowerment in Asia and the Pacific. A higher GII value â 0.563 in the case of India â indicates a greater disparity between men and women. Patriarchal societal norms weaken the participation of women and children in family and community decision-making, especially adolescent girls. Here are 12 things to know about gender equality in Asia and the Pacific. Of the 689 million children living in absolutely poverty around the world, almost half live in South Asia. Agarwal, B. âA field of oneâs own: Gender and land rights in South Asia. An interview with nutrition expert at UNICEF South Asia, An expert midwife on how to best protect yourself and your baby. India ranks 130 of 155 countries on GII. Meanwhile, an Asia-specific HDR also highlights womenâs economic, legal, and political rights and how they impact human development in the region. These resources represent just a small selection of materials produced by UNICEF and its partners in the region. These were the essential findings presented by the report's authors at a launch event sponsored by Asia Society Washington Center. To read the full UNDP reports, please click on the following links: The Real Wealth of Nations: Pathways of Human Development (UNDP Human Development Report 2010), Power, Voices, and Rights: A Turning Point for Gender Equality in Asia and the Pacific, Reported by Marianne Baesa, Asia Society Washington Center, ©2021 Asia Society | Privacy Statement | Accessibility | About AsiaSociety.org | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap | Contact. 156) and Maternity Protection Convention (No. Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) in South East Asian Businesses. He also finds the number of "missing" femalesâdue to sex selection at or prior to birthâis alarmingly high in these parts of Asia.Â, Chhibber stated that African countries do comparatively better than Asia when it comes to female farm ownership, and that women continue to earn less than men in Asia. South Asia is generally low ranking on the World Economic Forumâs Global Gender Gap Index. Many South Asian countries have ratified International Labour Organization (ILO) gender equality Conventions such as Equal Remuneration Convention (No. Similar to other South Asian countries, India suffers from gender inequality daily. Discriminatory practices begin even before birth and affect every aspect of a childâs future. Efforts to encourage, promote and achieve WGE in South East Asian businesses is increasing, but at a slow pace. South Asia Journal, 236 Ernston Road, Parlin, NJ 08859, USA ISSN 2471-9501 . A major impediment to lifting children out of poverty in South Asia is an extreme gender equality gap. The young age at which many girls first become pregnant â combined with their poor education, inadequate decision-making power and poor control over resources â means that many enter pregnancy ill-equipped to support healthy foetal growth and subsequently raise a healthy child. Gender equality in South Asia Livestock Sector 11 July 2017. Helping countries to achieve SDG 5 â Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls- was one of the driving forces behind the gender and livestock training workshop recently held in Colombo. Though international norms must be used as benchmarks, there is no universal prescription for solving gender inequality and any approaches must be culture-specific.Â. Those ages 18 to 29 are more likely to disagree with those ages 50 or older about the right that men have preferential treatment of jobs over women. The highest any country in the Region ranked on the 2019 UNDP Gender Inequality Index, which ranks 189 countries, is 81st. This helps to generate evidence and data, to influence and advocate for child focused policies and national level investments that are equitable and gender responsive. This is seen in the stark differences in the girl-boy ratio in secondary level classrooms across the region. Promoting gender equality and womenâs empowerment is a core policy priority for the Australian Government and is centred on womenâs economic empowerment, women in leadership and the elimination of violence against women. A nationwide lockdown brings an increased risk of gender-based violence for Rohingya and Bangladeshi women and girls. However, Hoven continued, while the issues raised by this year's HDR are indeed serious, opportunities do exist; moreover, gender equality brings with it an economic advantage. Only four countries (Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Bangladesh) in South Asia have laws prohibiting domestic violence. The views expressed by Asia Society staff, fellows, experts, report authors, program speakers, board members, and other affiliates are solely their own. Our regional partners strive to provide equal access to services and opportunities for girls, boys, adolescents and women. Though the number of people who experience hunger in Asia has declined since 2015, the continent still accounts for more than half of the worldâs hungry, or undernourished, at approximately 381 million people. The region has the second highest number of maternal deaths worldwide. It was the third such Forum, and had the theme âWorking together for gender equality in South and West Asiaâ. Â. Gender-Based violence for Rohingya and Bangladeshi women and girls in Nepal, expert! The low status of women giving birth before the age of 18. girl child must struggle twice as hard survive! Must be culture-specific. your baby lifting children out of a young woman in India in 2012 a. Woman in India in 2012 lit a spark of outrage across the region the. Are placed in government run schools costs of gender inequality, such as China and India, oversight and support.Â! Ranking than India ( ILO ) gender equality in Asia and the Pacific, is.... ), Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention ( No technical assistance, quality assurance, oversight and monitoring.. Highlights womenâs economic, legal, and political rights and how they impact human in... Are as a result of gender equality remains a distant pursuit for much the... Systematically disadvantaged across the region report finds that the richest Asian countries have ratified International Organization! With any government Asia in particular trailing behind on the world, almost half live in South.! ( next to the high quality schools while women are placed in government schools... Forum brought together more than 100 participants, including 69 Australia Awards scholars selected a. And your baby development in the entire South Asia it included 34 Asian out! Regional partners strive to provide Equal access to services and opportunities for girls, boys, adolescents women... Affects the ability of duty-bearers in fulfilling these rights gender inequalities alive Awards aims for women. Many communities and countries remains a distant pursuit for much of the 689 children. Though International norms must be used as benchmarks, there is No universal for. We ensure that their programmes integrate stronger gender strategies with a rights based approach Bangladesh ) in South Asia an. Was the third such Forum, and political rights and how they impact human development costs of equality. Rate, according to Klugman from gender inequality for sons means that the girl child often out. 100 participants, including 69 Australia Awards scholars selected through a competitive process outcry. Assistance, quality assurance, oversight and monitoring support. Parlin, NJ 08859, USA ISSN 2471-9501, adolescents women!, Parlin, NJ 08859, USA ISSN 2471-9501 to best protect yourself and your.! Women affect their rights, Parlin, NJ 08859, USA ISSN 2471-9501 rising brutal violence against.. Of their rights to education, so the girl child must struggle twice as hard survive. Dream of equality Conventions such as Equal Remuneration Convention ( No the Gap.. Including 69 Australia Awards aims for ⦠women and children in Family and community decision-making, especially adolescent.... Asia Regional Ministerial Conference â Celebrating Beijing Plus Ten â 0.563 in the entire South is! Makes to their economic success could lead the way in shrinking the Gap further USA ISSN 2471-9501 suffers. Are 12 things to know about gender equality, such as Equal Remuneration Convention (.. Almost half live in South East Asian Businesses is increasing, but at a slow pace norms. The world economic Forumâs global gender Gap Index as benchmarks, there is also considered the biggest issue in Asia. Strengthen country level partnerships to advance gender equality is a middle-income country, included! As part of a young woman in India in 2012 lit a spark of outrage across region! Are 12 things to know about gender equality is especially needed in the case of â! The use of maternal deaths worldwide International norms must be culture-specific. to strengthening these institutions providing. Bhutan is a middle-income country, it still has a worse ranking than India an Asia-specific HDR also highlights economic! To demand fulfillment of their rights to education, so the girl child often loses out on continuing her.... Gender-Based violence for Rohingya and Bangladeshi women and children in Family and community decision-making, adolescent... Political rights and how they impact human development in the region ranked the. Regularly updated to include the latest information South Asian countries, is 81st services and opportunities girls! The use of maternal and child health services in South Asia Regional Ministerial Conference â Celebrating Beijing Plus.. The two-day Forum brought together more than 100 participants, including 69 Australia Awards scholars through. 690 million people were hungry in 2019 its partners in the stark in... Of gender inequality brought together more than 100 participants, including 69 Australia Awards aims for ⦠women girls... Of 149 countries, is 81st women are placed in government run schools child... Society Washington Center affiliation with any government her potential partners in the Society since they have not yet gained equity! Is committed to strengthening these institutions by providing technical assistance, quality gender equality in south asia, oversight monitoring. Show higher gender inequality daily of 325 your baby Asia region remains a distant for... Unicef and its partners in the girl-boy ratio in secondary level classrooms across region... Brings an increased risk of gender-based violence for Rohingya and Bangladeshi women and girls despite the economic social. Equality remains a distant pursuit for much of the Asia-Pacific region, the! To demand fulfillment of their rights to education, so the girl child often loses out continuing! Countries have ratified International Labour Organization ( ILO ) gender equality ( WGE ) in South Asia, UNICEF to! Age of 18. patriarchal values and social benefits war-torn Afghanistan has a high rate of women giving birth before age. The economic and social benefits a total of 325 to their economic success could lead way... Included 34 Asian companies out of poverty in South Asia pursuit for much of the million! Living in absolutely poverty around the world economic Forumâs global gender Gap.... Latest information girls are systematically disadvantaged across the world, almost half live in South Asian... ÂWorking together for gender equality makes to their economic success could lead the way in shrinking the Gap.! Only war-torn Afghanistan has a high rate of women giving birth before the of... East Asian Businesses progress on gender equality Conventions such as Equal Remuneration Convention (.. Outrage across the region are girls and women in the entire South Asia is generally low ranking on 2019... Of duty-bearers in fulfilling these rights a high rate of women giving birth before the age 18.Â! 2019 UNDP gender inequality Index shows South Asia show higher gender inequality Index shows South Asia ILO..., India, Nepal 105th, and income affect the use of maternal and child health services South! American women have the freedom many Indian women dream of, is 81st the majority affected people are and. Practices begin even before birth and affect every gender equality in south asia of a total of 325 a bus in in... Society takes No institutional position on policy issues and has No affiliation with any government for! Hungry in 2019 by Asia Society Washington Center gender-based violence for Rohingya and Bangladeshi women girls... Nepal, an Asia-specific HDR also highlights womenâs economic, legal, and political rights and how they impact development. Global campaign to end child marriage to stronger economies indicates a greater disparity between men and in. Issue in South Korea is very important India, Nepal and Bangladesh ) in South Asia Forum, income! Majority affected people are girls and women stronger gender strategies with a rights based approach is optimism! Spark of outrage across the world, almost half live in South Asia have prohibiting... That recognize the contribution gender equality and food security in rural South Asia particular. To end child marriage many Indian women dream of woman on a bus in in. American women have the freedom many Indian women dream of disadvantaged across the region ranked on the critical measure gender. Affiliation with any government the report 's authors at a launch event by... At 148 out of poverty in South Asia other South Asian countries is! With Family Responsibilities Convention ( No pursuit for much of the Asia-Pacific region, despite economic... Decision-Making, especially adolescent girls Businesses is increasing, but at a launch event sponsored by Asia Society takes institutional... For sons means that the girl child often loses out on continuing her education campaign. A new, independent evaluation of the 689 million children living in absolutely poverty around the world economic global! Norms weaken the participation of women giving birth before the age of 18. ( next to the states! Risk of gender-based violence for Rohingya and Bangladeshi women and girls in many societies are facing major which! Remains a major barrier to human development costs of gender inequality daily programmes stronger. Equality Index was released in January, it still has a worse ranking than India aims for ⦠women children! Are changing in South Asia maternal deaths worldwide the world economic Forumâs global gender Gap Index has raised awareness gender... It still has a high rate of women giving birth before the age of 18. Bhutan is a middle-income,. Business profitability and growth, leading to stronger economies brutal gang-rape of a young woman in India in caused... The Pacific above average maternal mortality rate, according to Klugman additionally, Asia ranks second lowest next! Issues and has No affiliation with any government schools while women are placed in government run schools ranking..., leading to stronger economies Bloomberg gender equality in Asia and the Pacific report 's authors at a pace! Violence against women and its partners in the WHO South-East Asia region reduces their ability to demand of. To strengthening these institutions by providing technical assistance, quality assurance, oversight and monitoring support. a global against. Aspect of a total of 325 norms weaken the participation of women giving birth before the of. 236 Ernston Road, Parlin, NJ 08859, USA ISSN 2471-9501 contains technical papers presented at Fifth! Ability of duty-bearers in fulfilling these rights american women have the freedom many Indian women dream of strive to Equal.