The Philippines is hosting high-level Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings on gender equality and women’s rights from Nov. 10 to 15, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) said Monday.

In a news release, the commission said the six-day event features back-to-back meetings of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW), ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), and the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Steering Committee (AGMSC), followed by the ASEAN Conference on Gender-Responsive Budgeting.

The event with the theme “Shaping the Future of ASEAN: Women’s Leadership in Advancing People Empowerment, Regional Security, and Economic Prosperity” aims to strengthen regional cooperation on gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the protection of women and children across ASEAN Member States.

The Philippines currently serves as co-chair of both the ACW and ACWC. On the first day of the event, the country will assume the chairship of the ACW.

Discussions will focus on advancing women’s economic empowerment, addressing gender-based violence, implementing the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework, and promoting gender-responsive governance.

As ASEAN’s Vision Lead for Gender Mainstreaming, the PCW will also lead the ASEAN Conference on Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) from Nov. 14 to 15. The conference seeks to deepen understanding and strengthen the implementation of gender-responsive budgeting across ASEAN.

Representatives from ministries of women, finance, and planning of the 11 ASEAN Member States, as well as ASEAN partners and experts, are participating in the meetings.

A Compendium of GRB Practices in ASEAN will be produced as a key output of the conference to guide member states in using public resources effectively to promote gender equality and inclusive development.

The ASEAN Secretariat, led by Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, is also attending the meetings.

The PCW said the week-long event reaffirms the Philippines’ leadership in promoting gender equality and its commitment to align ASEAN initiatives with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 —toward a resilient, innovative, and people-centered ASEAN. (PNA)