Closing the Gender Gap in Asia

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in partnership with the Network of Social Democracy in Asia-SOCDEM Asia, and the Olof Palme International Center are organizing a two day conference in Singapore, Closing the Gender Gap: A Conference on Feminism.

Over two days starting 14 October, women leaders, policy-makers and activists from across Asia-Pacific and beyond will come together to formulate effective strategies for implementing women- and gender-related policies and targeted measures that truly advance women’s rights and their participation in the labour market, governments and political parties.

[T]he empowerment of women must not have the sole goal to make women into another instrument for profit maximization

For SOCDEM Asia, as a network of progressive politicians, scholars and activists who share social democratic values and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, defining policies to advance gender equality is of crucial importance to the work towards social democracy.

“As new trade policies are being shaped, policy makers have to keep in mind that the empowerment of women must not have the sole goal to make women into another instrument for profit maximization,” appeals the SOCDEM Asia network in calling for the conference. “Yes, closing the gender gap is a vitally important factor in bringing about economic growth. But socially just policies have to look beyond the productivity sector. Care and reproductive work is essential to any society and has to be recognized and valued as such.”