OREANDA-NEWS. The Asian Development Bank (ADB), in collaboration with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, is holding a second Asia Women Leadership Program (AWLP) event starting today to help senior women government officials develop their potential to become future leaders.

The 4-day program follows an initial, successful event held last year.  A total of 25 senior women government officials from 16 Asia Pacific countries—mostly from finance, planning and infrastructure ministries—are taking part.  
 
“The AWLP will explore the reasons behind women’s ‘invisibility’ in leadership positions in public administration in Asia and the Pacific and provide tools and ideas to help them overcome obstacles to becoming leaders,” said Sonomi Tanaka, Technical Advisor (Gender Equity) in ADB’s Sustainable Development and Climate Change Department. “The event will include personal confidence building, communication and media training, experience sharing, networking and alliance building.” 

A UNDP gender equality report on public administration in 2014 found that, globally, women occupy 15% or less of decision making positions, with the number in Asia and the Pacific generally lower than in African countries. ADB data, meanwhile, shows that while 40% of Asia’s workforce is made up of females, only 15% of corporate boardroom members are women, and there are virtually no females on boards in the industrial sector. 

Some of the region’s top women leaders will be among the speakers, including senior government officials and senior representatives from civil society organizations and the private sector in Cambodia, Nepal, India, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines. These women leaders will share their personal journeys and insights to inspire and motivate participants. UN Women Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Roberta Clarke, will provide a keynote address. 

“The purpose of the event fits well with Cambodia’s emphasis on building a critical mass of women leaders and decision makers at all levels of government,” said the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Ing Kantha Phavi, who is co-hosting the event. “These women are also in the position to take forward the gender agenda in their respective domains of public service.” 

ADB has a range of initiatives to reduce gender disparities and empower women in Asia and the Pacific. Supporting women’s meaningful participation in decision making at national, local and household levels, and promoting women’s leadership are key priorities of its Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Operational Plan. 

ADB, based in Manila, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth, and regional integration. Established in 1966, it is owned by 67 members—48 from the region. In 2014, ADB assistance totaled $22.9 billion, including cofinancing of $9.2 billion.