Women Taking Charge in Changing Times

We are at a moment of real change and big shifts, which has never felt more true than in the past year. But amidst great challenges, we also witnessed the power of changemakers creating a positive impact in different communities on global and local levels. As we celebrate International Women’s Day with the theme “Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world,” we highlight the integral role women play in the road to sustainable recovery.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 70 percent of health workers are women and are three times more likely than men to care for the sick and ageing. In ASEAN, women are the main caregivers especially within families and households. The pandemic has significantly raised awareness on the gaps in both formal and informal healthcare. While many women frontliners rose to the challenge and continue to bear the brunt of home and childcare, underrepresentation remains in leadership and decision-making. Women need to be in the room with full and inclusive participation. 

"No country prospers without the engagement of women. We need women’s representation that reflects all women and girls in all their diversity and abilities, and across all cultural, social, economic and political situations. This is the only way we will get real societal change that incorporates women in decision-making as equals and benefits us all.” - Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Women Executive Director

We believe that everyone can play a part in shifting mindsets and reshaping the world we live in. It will take all of us, women and men together, to advance gender equality and #ActForEqual. 

You can learn more and support this movement through UN Women's Campaign - https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/international-womens-day