The Regional Forum on Care Work in ASEAN Countries will be jointly convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), ASEAN Committee on Women (AWC) through Lao PDR as incumbent ACW Chair, Oxfam, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The consultation will serve as a critical platform to deliberate on the pressing issues surrounding the burden of unpaid care and domestic work for women in the Asia-Pacific region. 

The objective of the Regional Forum is to highlight the importance of valuing and investing in the care economy in driving economic growth and social development in the ASEAN region, in particular to (a) share best practices, innovations, and policy initiatives that promote gender equality by investing in and developing the care economy and addressing unpaid care and domestic work (UCDW) and paid work sectors; and (b) to foster partnerships and collaborations among ASEAN member-states, regional organizations, and the private sector in advancing the care economy. 

The Regional Consultation serves as a critical platform for ASEAN member-states and non-state actors to exchange knowledge and ideas, with a focus on:  

• Creating a conducive environment for a care-responsive policy ecosystem that encompasses the various dimensions of care provision including the care infrastructure and provision of services such as healthcare, education, childcare, eldercare and social protection.  

• Understanding key considerations to protect and promote the rights and decent working conditions of paid care workers across ASEAN.  

• Exploring challenges and opportunities related to maternity protection and childcare, aiming to provide comprehensive support for working mothers.  

• Discussing the advances made toward building evidence on care, emphasizing the importance of collecting and utilizing data to inform policies and interventions related to care work.  

• Exploring ways to foster and strengthen strategic regional partnerships for care among ASEAN member-states, regional organizations, and the private sector in advancing the care economy.  

The outcome of the Regional Forum on Care Work in ASEAN Countries will be a set of recommendations that identify areas for accelerated action to value and invest in unpaid care and domestic work.