Women and labour markets in Asia: rebalancing for gender equality

Reducing gender barriers to decent work is fundamental to advancing the inclusive growth agenda in developing countries. This publication aims to offer evidence-based policy recommendations on strategies to advance gender equality in Asia through addressing persistent gender labour market gaps.

The author indicates that despite robust economic growth in the region, gender gaps persist in the labour market in terms of labour utilisation and where and how women and men work.

Findings encompass:

• gender inequalities are not only rooted in the socio-cultural norms of Asian countries but also entrenched in the policy and institutional frameworks that shape the employment opportunities of female labour force
• while some progress has been made in past decades in advancing gender equality, women still make up the “buffer workforce” – both within labour markets as flexible informal workers and within household as “secondary earners”

The report identifies a set of gender-responsive policies that could help provide decent work for all women and men in the region.

The re-balancing policies include:

• gender-focused approach to support women entrepreneurs to establish formal enterprises
• assist women engaged in agriculture to boost rural productivity and incomes
• promote equal opportunities for girls and women to access quality education and training
• help to reduce the overreliance of developing Asia on the informal sector to absorb its workforce during economic recessions

The paper concludes that creating an enabling environment of equal opportunity and treatment in the labour market for both genders will contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Pacific.