The Philippines has officially taken the chairship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Women (ACW) for 2025–2026, with Singapore as vice chair, during the committee’s 24th meeting hosted by the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) in Bohol on Monday.
The meeting, themed “Shaping the Future of ASEAN: Women’s Leadership in Advancing People Empowerment, Regional Security, and Economic Prosperity,” highlighted the crucial role of women in driving the region’s growth and resilience.
PCW Chairperson Ermelita Valdeavilla reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment, saying, “This meeting reflects our collective recognition that women’s leadership is not peripheral but central to ASEAN’s vision for peace, prosperity, and resilience.”
The ASEAN Secretariat reported an 88% completion rate for the ACW Work Plan 2021–2025, while discussions began for the 2026–2030 Work Plan aligned with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Key topics included the ASEAN Gender Outlook 2024, the campaign against online gender-based violence, Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) initiatives, and the Philippine-proposed ASEAN Declaration on the Gender-Transformative Implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, expected to be adopted during the 49th ASEAN Summit in 2026.
Member states also reaffirmed support for the proposed ASEAN Centre of Excellence on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment and reviewed preparations for the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit.
Development partners—including Australia, Canada, UN Women, Guardian Girls International, ADB, UNDP, GSMA Inc., and the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network—provided updates on programs promoting women’s economic empowerment, political participation, and protection from gender-based violence.
As the new ACW chair, the Philippines pledged to sustain momentum and strengthen regional partnerships to build a more inclusive and gender-equal ASEAN.