Beijing+30 Youth Blog: Empowering women to drive the smart economy in Asia and the Pacific
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Author: Anaaya Khare
The Asia and Pacific has become the most economically dynamic region of the world, but the contribution of women is painfully unrecognized. Women make up half of the world’s population, yet we face barriers to economic and social participation.
Trying to grow economically without allowing women to reach their full potential is akin to fighting a war with one hand. According to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific, the gender gap in workforce participation is constantly increasing in this region. Only 43.6 per cent of working-age women are economically active, compared to 73.4 per cent of men. Moreover, the majority of working women are either denied or have limited access to organized jobs, equitable wages and rightful protection. Sixty-four per cent of working women are thus trapped in informal and vulnerable jobs and face numerous forms of restrictions, sexual harassment and pay discrimination.
It has been proven that the inclusion of women in paid economic activities boosts the income of a region and leads to a smart economy. As the International Finance Corporation said, promoting gender equality in the countries of Asia and Pacific could enhance their collective GDP by $4.5 trillion in 2025. It could also contribute tremendously in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically, Goal 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities, and Goal 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The backbone of the inclusion of women in economic activities, however, is a safe environment to work in. Recently, in India, a woman got assaulted and murdered in her place of work. The case shook the nation and as we young women demanded justice, an inevitable fear constantly gripped our minds: the fear that we could be victims to this horror too.
In my interactions with working women in India, I have found that out of the wide spectrum of issues they encounter, one of the most disconcerting is basic sanitation facilities. This problem is not solely in the informal sectors of the economy. Women in white-collar jobs are not only subjected to poor sanitation facilities but don’t have access to separate toilets either. They are forced to use men’s toilets and the provision of sanitary napkins is a rare luxury.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action has tirelessly worked for economic and social independence and gender inclusion across all facets of the workforce. But regrettably, significant change in the social situation of women around the world has not occurred. Time and again, we are seen as secondary, less powerful or unequal citizens.
My idea is to give voice to these issues and make them prominent so that change can be brought. As the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action approaches, I strongly urge countries across the world to together address the rising and often unspoken problems faced by women. By working together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact on society, which is the foundation of a smart economy.
Biography:
Anaaya Khare, 14, is a high school student in Lucknow, India. She advocates for women's rights and has raised her concern about women’s safety and basic human rights during the recent conflicts over these issues. She is involved in social work, advocacy, engaging with decision maker and participating in Model United Nations..
