Across ASEAN countries, fewer women than men are in paid employment. Fewer still are in management and leadership positions. This is the case in Australia too, in the public and private sectors. In my own workplace, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there is a determined effort in progress to increase the number of women in leadership roles.
During her visits to the Philippines in March and August this year, Australia’s Foreign Minister, the Hon Julie Bishop, highlighted Australia’s Investing in Women Initiative, which works in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar to drive economic growth in our region through addressing the barriers to women’s economic participation. Investing in Women has set up business coalitions boosting opportunities for women entrepreneurs. We hope that other ASEAN countries can draw on this work.
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