Gender Justice
The Asia-Pacific region is one the most diverse regions in the world in terms of politics, economy and culture. Despite significant economic growth and improved educational opportunities in recent decades, multiple socio-economic inequalities persist in the region, with ‘gender’ being a central axis of discrimination.
The labour force participation of women in Asia remains low in many countries. The majority of women work in the informal economy, often under harsh conditions without proper social protection. And while women have found opportunities opening up in labour-intense export industries and digitalized service sectors, the digital divide is shaping the future of many women and girls. Women in Asia also spend four times as much time on unpaid care work than men, often connected to a lack of public services. Far too often, the experience of gender-based violence is a part of women’s and girls’ day-to-day life. Yet, they are leading many inspiring initiatives, questioning the discriminatory gender roles and norms that are deeply embedded in social structures and cultural practices.
Against this background, FES is committed towards working with its partners to advance gender equality in Asia-Pacific. At the heart of our work lies the question: How can we overcome structural economic and social inequalities to achieve a more gender just and sustainable future?
We support public debates on gender justice through our network of offices in the Asia-Pacific and facilitate regional and international exchanges between Asian, European, and international experts. Our regional work is coordinated by the Gender Justice Hub Asia, hosted by FES Nepal in Kathmandu, which is part of the FES Global Gender Innovation Network. Together with colleagues, feminist activists, and partners we create spaces for mutual learning and develop strategies to support transformative change. Throughout all our activities we follow an intersectional approach.
Read about the women who have paved the way for gender justice in Asia:
News
Modest gains at risk: Afghan women face multi-dimensional challenges for economic participation
Worsening security conditions and societal polarization pose a risk to modest gains for gender justice. We explored three critical aspects. more Information
The laborious challenge of enhancing women’s participation in India’s workforce
Indian women’s participation in the labour market is low and falling, despite numerous policies and interventions from government and other agencies.... more Information
FES Afghanistan celebrates International Women's Day with photo exhibition
FES and Mariam Alimi show you women who challenge and overcome stereotypes, inspire and lead the way for others, provide for their families and... more Information
Women and girls across Asia are facing complex, urgent risks from the pandemic, expert warns
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted billions of lives around the world. But the crisis is hitting already-vulnerable women and girls in several new... more Information
Beijing +25 – Looking back, looking forward
1995 marked a seminal year in the global fight for gender equality. How far have China and Germany come, and what remains to be done? more Information
How COVID-19 fuels the digital gender divide
It is high time to act and re-imagine our digital future in Asia. more Information
Further steps are needed to ensure a gender-just energy transition
For the shift from fossil fuels towards renewable energies to be genuinely sustainable on both the environmental and social levels, it needs to be... more Information
Revisit our web discussions on gender and energy
Watch the presentation of our four keynote speakers from our series on gender and energy. more Information
India’s domestic workers need better legislation to protect their rights through the pandemic
Many households in bustling Indian cities rely on domestic workers. These workers perform arduous tasks, yet they suffer from low wages, unregulated... more Information
The future is now! Young Afghans join forces for inclusion and equality
Women leadership in Afghanistan is neither an anomaly nor unheard of – but especially with the peace process gaining traction, it certainly takes... more Information
Dignity and recognition for care workers in Asia
Human survival requires care work, yet paid and unpaid care work still lack recognition. An FES working group on the future of the care economy has... more Information
Out now: Women and the Future of the Digital Economy in Asia
A new FES study investigates how women in Asia are affected by digitalization and automation and explores feminist perspectives on the digital economy... more Information
New FES study: Women and the Future of Care Work in Asia
Around the world, women conduct the majority of (un)paid care work. In Asia, the care sector is particularly large. A new FES study investigates what... more Information
Web discussion: The digital economy in Asia - Feminist perspectives
A web discussion on "The digital economy in Asia - Feminist perspectives" was hosted by FES Asia, WIDE+ and IT for Change with more than 100... more Information
Digital justice for the next billion users
Payal Arora, author of “The Next Billion Users. Digital Life beyond the West” shares her views on digital justice and how it relates to the digital... more Information
Publications
COVID-19 crisis and women in Asia
Our paper series explores gender-specific impacts, reflects on policy responses and explores women’s agency in context of the COVID-19 pandemic in... More
Transformative Change for Gender Equality: Learning from Feminist Strategies
Our new guide explores feminist approaches to transformative change, extracts lessons to learn and provides tools and inspiration to bring feminist... More
Icons of Gender Justice
Read about the lives of those who paved the way for women’s rights in Asia in this new graphic novel anthology. More
Women and the Future of the Digital Economy in Asia
This paper investigates how women in Asia are affected by digitalization and automation and explores feminist perspectives on the digital economy. More
Women and the Future of Care Work in Asia
This study analyses care and welfare policies and its impact on women in Asia. More
Feminist Perspectives on the Future of Work in the Philippines
The study serves as a starting point for further analysis and discussion about women and the future of work in the Philippines. More
Gender Perspectives on the Future of Work in China
The study serves as a starting point for further analysis and discussion about women and the future of work in China. More
Feminist Visions of the Future of Work in Asia
This paper explores narratives and perspectives on the future of work in Asia through a feminist lense. More
Gender and the Future of Work in Thailand
The study serves as a starting point for further analysis and discussion about women and the future of work in Thailand. More
Feminism and the womens' movement in the Philippines
This study on the Philippine Women Movement(s) gives special attention to the struggles of women during different historical events and political... More
A Hundred Years of Feminism in Indonesia
This study deals with the rise of feminism in Indonesia which started a century ago. More
The Women’s Movement in Bangladesh
The study traces the history of women’s movements in Bangladesh and discusses its achievements amidst the rapidly changing economic and political... More
Women Migrant Workers in the ASEAN Economic Community
An excellent reference and policy tool founded on sound review and research, this report charts actionable policy recommendations for fair and... More
Political feminism and the women's movement in Thailand
In recent years, challenges caused by social and political unrest and conflicts over natural resources and the environment have had an impact on the... More
Feminism in China: An Analysis of Advocates, Debates and Strategies
State feminism as enforced by the Communist Party of China (CCP) after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, has brought enormous... More
What is gender justice?
Today, economic, political, and social privileges are unevenly distributed and women as well as people with other sexual and gender identities are discriminated against. Working towards gender justice means reducing structural barriers that determine the distribution of power, wealth, and time in society. At FES, we understand gender justice as the freedom to choose different ways of being and living based on equal distribution of resources, equal possibilities to exert influence and equal respect regardless of gender.
