Manila: The Philippines is spearheading a decisive shift in Southeast Asia's development agenda, convening regional leaders to craft a landmark declaration that aims to dismantle structural inequalities affecting 340 million women and girls by 2045.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) noted that the country hosted a high-level consultation workshop Tuesday last week to refine the "ASEAN Declaration on the Gender-Transformative Implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045" as the current Chair of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW). The initiative marks an evolution from being "gender-responsive," which addresses the symptoms of inequality, to being "gender-transformative," which seeks to overhaul the systems, institutions, and social norms that restrict opportunities for women and marginalized groups.
PCW Chairperson and ACW Chair Ermelita Valdeavilla emphasized that a truly "people-centered" ASEAN cannot exist while half of its population remains on the margins. 'This is why we must progress-decisively and without turning back-from a gender-responsive approach to a gender-transformative one. Not to concentrate on treating the symptoms of inequality, but on dismantling its root causes,' Valdeavilla stated. She added that the goal is not merely to help women "survive discriminatory structures" but to restructure power arrangements so that all human beings can thrive.
The proposed Declaration focuses on eight interconnected areas aligned with emerging regional challenges, ensuring that women are positioned as drivers of the future economy rather than just recipients of aid: Economic Empowerment, Health and Well-being, Future-Ready Education, Eliminating Violence, Peace and Security, Climate Resilience, Social Safety Nets, and Digital Empowerment.
Organizers clarified during the workshop that a gender-transformative approach does not refer to gender identity transition. Instead, it is a governance strategy intended to build on previous gains-such as the 2017 Declaration adopted during the Philippines' previous ASEAN Chairship-by elevating them toward systemic reform. The declaration aims to embed these principles into the strategic plans of all three ASEAN pillars: political-security, economic, and socio-cultural.
Meanwhile, PCW Executive Director and ACW Philippines Focal Person Nharleen Santos-Millar said the inputs from the consultation will be used to refine the draft, which is slated for further validation at the 6th ASEAN Gender Mainstreaming Steering Committee Meeting. 'We are not just drafting a declaration; we are ensuring that the 'Resilient, Innovative, and Dynamic' ASEAN we envision is one where every woman, man, girl, and boy can meaningfully contribute to and benefit from our regional community-building agenda,' Santos-Millar said.
The finalized landmark document is targeted for official adoption during the 49th ASEAN Leaders' Summit in October 2026.
