Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework Launched

ASEAN launched the Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework on January 27th. With support from the USAID, the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) jointly launched the Strategic Framework that proposes an implementation approach to advance ASEAN’s gender equality commitments.

Jennifer Klein, Executive Director and Co-chair of New White House Gender Policy Council said “Today’s launch of the ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Strategic Framework marks the culmination of years of effort on the part of ASEAN and the United States to move from gender policy commitments to implementation and meaningful integration of gender equality across the ASEAN community.”

She commended ASEAN on the finalization of the Framework and encouraged continued attention and collaboration, citing the United States’ ongoing work with ASEAN to advance gender equality and mainstreaming through capacity building, women’s leadership and entrepreneurship initiatives, as well as the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Stakeholders shared ongoing or planned gender mainstreaming initiatives and agreed to prioritize broadening awareness of the Strategic Framework and implementing recommendations, which include establishing gender mainstreaming institutional mechanisms, enhancing gender-responsive senior leadership, and securing the necessary capacity and resources.