The CSW69 side event “Care at the Core: ASEAN Leadership in Advancing Gender Equality through the Care Economy” was organized by the Lao Women’s Union, the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) of Malaysia, ASEAN, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), and Oxfam. This event provided a unique global platform to showcase ASEAN’s leadership, foster South-South cooperation, and advance interregional learning on care economy solutions. CSW69, marking 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, served as a pivotal moment to highlight ASEAN’s contributions in achieving SDG 5.4 and driving transformative change in the global care economy.
The event focused on:
- Showcasing ASEAN’s leadership in advancing the care economy as a driver of gender equality, resilience, and inclusive development.
- Raising awareness of the ASEAN Declaration on Care Economy and its alignment with SDG 5.4 and broader ASEAN priorities.
- Highlighting actionable tools for member states, including the Guidance Note and the Lao PDR Case Study, to support the implementation of care economy initiatives.
- Facilitating South-South exchange and interregional learning by showcasing good practices and fostering collaboration among ASEAN member states and global partners.
- Advocating for sustainable financing and multi-stakeholder partnerships to operationalize the care economy agenda.
The outcome of this event reinforced ASEAN’s leadership in addressing the care economy, inspiring stakeholders to take bold action toward gender equality and sustainable development.