Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for increased representation of women leaders in Southeast Asia across various sectors, emphasizing their pivotal role in regional development. Speaking at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit held in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, Marcos highlighted the contributions of women to regional security, resilience, and economic growth.
Marcos addressed the need for women to assert their influence and seek greater participation in governance, business, technology, and civil society. He pointed out that while women have significantly supported families and local economies, they remain underrepresented in national parliaments and government cabinets across the ASEAN member states.
The Philippine President urged the recognition of women not just as beneficiaries of development programs but as leaders and innovators who are shaping the future of the region. He advocated for policies, institutions, and investments that better reflect and encourage women’s participation and leadership in these areas.
Marcos’s remarks underscore a broader push for gender equality and the empowerment of women leaders within Southeast Asia, a region where cultural and structural barriers have often hindered women’s full participation in public and economic life.