“The ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) agenda recognises the need to deliberate, identify, and monitor ways to ensure that globalisation is a positive force for reducing poverty and improving the lives of women. This is particularly urgent for rural women and those that have fallen by the wayside as a result of structural changes brought about by economic integration.” Yu-Foo Yee Shoon, Singapore's Minister of State for Community Development, Youth, and Sports, promised in her opening speech during the fifth meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Women.

The ACW meeting held on November 2-3, 2006 in Singapore, with the theme “Enhancing Partnerships for the Economic Empowerment of ASEAN Women,” brought together delegates from the 10 ASEAN countries who believe that ensuring the long-term economic well-being of women is important in achieving regional sustainable development.

The Singapore minister further said, “Globally and in the ASEAN, the labour force participation rate for women is still far below that of males. This is despite the fact that their contribution in the informal economy in most countries and at home, is greater than men's. Women are also more likely than men to be unpaid family workers, as they choose to remain economically inactive to devote their time to childcare or household responsibilities.”

The meeting aimed to determine priority areas including the political and economic empowerment of women and gender mainstreaming of policies and programmes as well as discussed ways to strengthen regional cooperation for the advancement of women in ASEAN countries.

Sources:
“ASEAN seeks to put women ahead” from the Hindustan Times, posted on November 2, 2006, <http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1834094,00050004.htm>.
“The Opening Ceremony of the Fifth Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW)” from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, posted on November 2, 2006, <http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_speech_story.asp?szMod=corp&szSubMod=speech&qid=3183>.
“Singapore hosts the Fifth Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW)” from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, posted on November 2, 2006, <http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?szMod=corp&szSubMod=press&qid=1913>.

Backgrounder

The ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) monitors progress made by ASEAN Member Countries in implementing or addressing key regional priorities identified for the advancement of women in the region. The directive and mandate for the regional-level monitoring is found in the 1988 Declaration on the Advancement of Women in ASEAN, and the 2004 Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in ASEAN. Member Countries exchange views on national experiences, particularly in addressing the critical areas of concern under the Beijing Platform for Action. The ACW also undertakes projects and programmes to promote women's advancement in the region.

Source:
“Singapore hosts the Fifth Meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW)” from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, posted on November 2, 2006, <http://app.mcys.gov.sg/web/corp_press_story.asp?szMod=corp&szSubMod=press&qid=1913>.