A Qualitative Analysis on the Cross-Country Experiences of selected ASEAN Member States on Gender and Development

Abstract

ASEAN has been vocal with its support to gender equality and women empowerment, they formed committees and regional mechanisms that will guide them in achieving this. They also spearheaded various meetings with its member states and established partnerships with other organizations outside ASEAN to further enhance their response to gender and development. Their aim is to promote gender and development with its three pillars to create a gender sensitive society. Based on the data gathered, the LGBTQI+ Community and the women sector of all ASEAN member states are still struggling to get the support and acceptance of ASEAN as well as most of the people especially to those countries who are culture centered, but despite of their struggle they remain positive and hoping that the society will soon accept them wholeheartedly. There may be developments, but hardships are still visible in their work and in society, they still lack opportunities to grow in the fields that are dominated by men, they are still suffering from unequal treatment, and some are still not represented in politics.