BANGKOK, Thailand, September 21, 2024 – As global leaders convene for the United Nations Summit of the Future, a groundbreaking report from UN Women challenges conventional economic models, urging a shift beyond Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as the primary measure of progress in Asia and the Pacific. The report, titled “Caring Societies, Inclusive and Green Economies in Asia and the Pacific: Unveiling Data to Advance Women’s Economic Empowerment Beyond GDP,” highlights the need for a new economic paradigm that values care work, fosters inclusion, and promotes environmental sustainability.
Supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the report reveals that while economic growth has surged across the region, it has not led to economic empowerment for all women. Care work, which is disproportionately shouldered by women, remains largely invisible in traditional economic measures. This work includes both paid care roles, such as nursing and domestic work, and unpaid roles, such as caring for family members.
The findings underscore the urgent need to address gender inequality as a pathway to inclusive development. The report advocates for empowering women through greater decision-making power, improved access to productive resources, and reformed systems that recognize the value of care work. It also emphasizes that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires comprehensive action to transform care systems, promote decent job opportunities, and encourage gender-responsive climate action in both business and society.
“This report challenges all of our perceptions around the importance of care,” said Christine Arab, Regional Director of UN Women Asia and the Pacific. “It’s time to recognize that a truly thriving economy is one that values care, prioritizes the well-being of its people, and safeguards our planet for generations to come.”
The report calls for a significant paradigm shift beyond GDP and the typical growth-centric approach. Instead, it promotes a framework that prioritizes people’s well-being and environmental sustainability. By recognizing, reducing, and redistributing care work, and by investing in quality care services, promoting financial inclusion, and supporting women’s economic and political participation, including in climate action, the region can achieve more inclusive growth.
To drive this shift, the report stresses the importance of reliable and timely gender data, which is crucial for informed policymaking. Increased investments in such data will help governments, the private sector, and other stakeholders take concrete actions to break down barriers to women’s economic empowerment and accelerate progress toward a more equitable and prosperous future for all.
As the Asia-Pacific region confronts the challenges of gender inequality and climate change, this report offers a blueprint for reshaping economic policies to create a more inclusive, sustainable, and just society.Bottom of Form
