Outcome APA_D_1.4

Women and girls in all their diversity, and representatives of the women’s rights movement, exercise their leadership, voice and agency, without fear of retaliation, in development and crises-affected contexts.

In 2024, UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) made substantial steps in ensuring that women and girls, in all their diversity, and representatives of the women’s rights movement, could exercise their leadership, voice, and agency without fear of retaliation. These achievements were realized through concerted efforts in governance, peace, security, humanitarian action, disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate action, and gender-responsive policy advocacy, thereby creating inclusive and transformative frameworks for development and crisis-affected contexts. In pursuit of collective achievement, civil society organizations (CSOs) played a pivotal role in advancing gender-responsive anticipatory action and frameworks for GBV prevention in DRR. Their contributions led to the development of the Sendai Gender Action Plan (GAP) , a key tool for integrating gender into DRR strategies across the Asia-Pacific region. Through active engagement in high-profile dialogues, including the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on DRR (APMCDRR) , CSOs advocated for and influenced frameworks such as the Gender Equality Call to Action. Women-led organizations, including indigenous groups, were instrumental in drafting declarations and roadmaps for equitable energy transitions. Capacity-building sessions further equipped DRR practitioners to implement the Sendai GAP and align disaster management with SDGs on gender equality and climate action. Collaborations with UN entities such as United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), along with support to national disaster management offices in countries like the Philippines, India, and Pakistan, strengthened anticipatory actions and preparedness systems, addressing the unique needs of women and marginalized groups. Regional mechanisms such as the Gender Observatory and the Gender Help Desk further institutionalized gender-responsive DRR efforts, fostering a sustainable community of practice. Additionally, the launch of the WE-Respond Dashboard , developed in partnership with the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), has strengthened coordination among humanitarian actors by mapping women- and girl-focused organizations, laying the groundwork for enhanced responses and resilience-building. All of these help place women's voices and leadership in the center in DRR and humanistarian response actions by CSOs and UN agencies. UN Women also led transformative efforts in governance, peace, and security. Through the adoption of the National Action Plans on Women, Peace, and Security for Timor-Leste and Viet Nam, CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40 , and the Pasay Declaration on Women, Peace, and Security, the organization reinforced the leadership and influence of CSOs in shaping inclusive and resilient governance systems. These achievements were underpinned by regional consultations facilitated by UN Women, which brought together CSOs, UN agencies, and experts to address barriers to women’s inclusion in decision-making and tackle intersectionality, gender-based violence (GBV), and parity. In collaboration with Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada , 12 women's rights organizations (WROs) from eight countries (Thailand, the Philippines, Lao PDR, Indonesia, Myanmar, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, and Malaysia) were empowered to exercise leadership roles for gender-responsive labour migration governance and the rights of women migrant workers. Six gender-focused recommendations prepared by the participating CSOs/WROs were adopted in the 17th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) , strengthening efforts between WROs and regional migration CSOs in advocating for gender-responsive labour migration policies. As part of the Safe and Fair programme , a desk review on GBV cross-border referral systems in the Mekong Region highlighted the need for improved coordination among service providers and the creation of safe, effective referral pathways for migrant and displaced GBV survivors in development and humanitarian settings. These initiatives amplified the voices of women migrant workers in key intergovernmental platforms, including the Colombo Process, ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour , and the Global Compact for Migration review, ensuring their challenges and priorities were addressed. UN Women demonstrated leadership in advancing gender-responsive climate action. Efforts below reinforced commitment of the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to placing women and marginalized groups at the forefront of global climate solutions. UN Women co-convened the transformative Gender Equality and Climate Action Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue with Asian-Pacific Resource & Research Centre for Women (ARROW) , UNFPA, and UNEP, producing a Call to Action presented at 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29). It emphasizes empowering leadership by promoting links between climate change, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and GBV, with a focus on gender-disaggregated data. It integrates these priorities into national climate policies. Strategic dialogues advanced partnerships and actionable strategies for integrating gender-responsive priorities into global climate discussions, advancing commitments to gender equality and sustainability. A 2025 submission on the Gender Action Plan (GAP) highlighted progress from initiatives like the EmPower and Women’s Resilience to Disasters Programmes, informing the Synthesis Report and COP29 decisions on gender and climate change. A submission on gender-responsive climate financing shaped the 2024 Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) Annual Forum , where UN Women played a central role as an official partner, delivering insights and innovative financing models. Youth engagement also featured prominently in UN Women efforts, highlighted by the Beijing+30 Young Feminist Forum , which mobilized over 150 young leaders and 300 CSOs toward actionable regional acceleration plans. Participants advocated for government accountability and developed youth-driven recommendations for the Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on the Beijing+30 Review. These initiatives advanced sustained collaboration among youth leaders, Gender Equality Forum ( GEF) Commitment Makers, and CSOs, amplifying their influence on gender equality policy and practice through digital advocacy campaigns and strategic partnerships. The Centre of Excellence (COE) advanced the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda, advocating for the meaningful participation of women military officers. The " Second Korea Peacekeeping Forum for Women’s Empowerment ", engaged over 150 military leaders, emphasizing women's critical role in peace operations. The forum marked the conclusion of the Uniformed Women Peacekeepers’ Training Programme, equipping 22 women military officers from 13 countries with leadership and operational skills. These officers are expected to enhance women's representation and leadership in the countries’ military forces and in UN peacekeeping. COE also co-organized a high-level panel on the intersection of climate change and WPS, empowering women as agents of peace, resilience, and transformation. Across these diverse initiatives, UN Women demonstrated a steadfast commitment to advancing gender equality and enabling women and girls to lead without fear of retaliation. By advocating for policy integration, building capacities, supporting national strategies, and fostering impactful dialogues, UN Women has created a strong stage for women and girls to exercise their leadership and agency. These achievements have significantly shaped a gender-responsive landscape in governance, humanitarian, DRR, climate action, migration, and peacebuilding, reinforcing resilience and inclusivity in both development and crises-affected contexts.

Women and girls in all their diversity, and representatives of the women’s rights movement, exercise their leadership, voice and agency, without fear of retaliation, in development and crises-affected contexts.

In 2023, Asia Pacific region made good progress towards empowering women and girls, along with women's rights movement representatives, to exercise their leadership, voice, and agency without fear of retaliation in both development and crisis-affected contexts. The progress spans critical thematic areas, including: Migration: Significant progress was achieved by empowering regional and national Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in countries such as Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Viet Nam. These CSOs were equipped with technical knowledge on migration policies and advocacy skills, enabling their active participation in five ongoing inter-governmental mechanism/thematic meetings. UN Women provided crucial technical and financial support for this engagement. In collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), CSOs, including women's rights organisations, played a pivotal role in the thematic area working groups of the Colombo Process. Their participation in Technical Advisory Working Group (TAWG) meetings allowed them to contribute significantly to discussions and developing work plans, and share expertise with government representatives from the mentioned countries. Positive shifts were observed in the attitudes of Colombo Process Member States (CPMS) towards the participation of CSOs, including women's rights organisations. The CPMS demonstrated willingness to incorporate suggestions from CSOs into the work plans of TAWGs during 2023. For the ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML), where CSOs are formally recognised for their role, UN Women ensured their active involvement throughout the planning and organisation of the 16th AFML held in 2023, which enhanced the multi-stakeholder process and inclusiveness in line with the Global Compact for Migration’s Whole of Society approach. Humanitarian and climate change: Active participation of youth leaders who had innovative and unique ideas in and contribution to COP28 as well as the Climate Change and GBV Learning Exchange, both facilitated by ROAP, helped broaden the scope of discussion on climate change, gender-based violence, and youth participation in global environmental dialogues thereafter. Social media campaigns during the 16 days of activism and the dissemination of information on GBV and climate change interlinkages amplified reach and impact, fostering a deeper understanding of these critical issues among a wider audience. Center of Excellence: The Center of Excellence (COE) and ROAP were crucial in empowering youth leaders in the Asia-Pacific region through the "30 for 2030 Network”, which consisted of a diverse group of 48 young leaders across the region to amplify their voices in ending violence against women and girls (VAWG) and other issues. ROAP’s support led to establishing the network (before 2023), fostering solidarity and joint advocacy for various human rights issues. They became empowered to be able to actively and meaningfully participate in and contribute to decision-making fora, including the 8th Asia-Pacific Climate Change Adaptation Forum, UN Women Regional COVID-19 Recovery Dialogue, COP28, International Women’s Day, CSW67, 16 Days to End Violence Against Women and Girls regional and global consultations, among others. The success story from COP28 highlights the impact and contributions of youth champions in making significant waves at the conference, their active engagement, and advocacy on critical global issues. In one instance, they gathered for cross-country learning on addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF GBV). This network, established by ROAP, brought together young decision-makers, innovators, feminists, entrepreneurs, educators, activists, and more to influence social change and policymaking. During the event, youth leaders had the opportunity to reflect on and prepare for the release of the second edition of the Youth Guide to End Online Gender-Based Violence Toolkit, a valuable resource addressing online GBV. The Advocacy team enhanced the network's capabilities, organising over 46 meetings in 2023. These included workshops, mentorship sessions, and discussions covering key issues such as violence against women, climate change, humanitarian efforts, and peace and security, focusing on developing leadership skills. The team secured essential funding and resources for over 45 young leaders from the 30 for 2030 network, ensuring their active participation in critical fora at national and global levels. This inclusive advocacy approach emphasised the importance of supporting marginalised groups. Ending violence against women UN Women's efforts to end violence against women (EVAW) focused on providing technical, capacity-building, and financial support to women’s rights organisations and CSO networks, including 47 CSO participants from 15 countries across Asia and the Pacific region, with SVRI Forum (Sexual Violence Research Initiative), one of the critical global platforms on prevention of GBV. Engagement with global platforms like the SVRI Forum facilitated collaboration between CSOs and global initiatives. Women, Peace, and Cybersecurity Digital safety and cyber resilience of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) and women’s rights organisations in Southeast Asia got strengthened and they became able to exercise its leadership, voice, and agency without fear of retaliation, which allowed women to sustain their civic engagement efforts in a safe and sustained manner Under the "Women, Peace and Cybersecurity project," the digital rights movement is supported and equipped with the knowledge and capacity to exercise leadership and voice. ROAP developed research on the cybersecurity posture for WHRDs and women’s rights organisations in Southeast Asia and e-learning material for WHRDs and gender equality advocates. A total of 10 trainings was conducted in Thailand, Viet Nam and the Philippines to support the digital safety and cyber-resilience of WHRDs/ women’s rights organizations, and benefited a total of 521 persons (436 women, 57 men; 28 non-categorised). Six Women’s CSOs’ cybersecurity posture improved particularly in cybersecurity audits, by ROAP providing tailored support. They raised awareness on digital harms and strengthened resilience against cyberattacks, which are systematically used to attack, silence and discredit women, including WHRDs.

Women and girls in all their diversity, and representatives of the women’s rights movement, exercise their leadership, voice and agency, without fear of retaliation, in development and crises-affected contexts.

In 2025, women and girls, particularly those from marginalized, crisis-affected, and politically constrained contexts, demonstrated measurable increases in leadership, voice, and collective agency across regional and national policy, humanitarian, peace and security, EVAW, and migration governance processes. This shift was evidenced by expanded and safer participation, stronger representation of marginalized groups, improved confidence and technical capability, and increased influence of women-led actors in decision-making and crisis response systems. Expanded and safer participation in governance and accountability platforms. Women’s rights organizations (WROs), women-led organizations (WLOs), youth leaders, migrant women workers and grassroots groups engaged more consistently and safely in intergovernmental, humanitarian and accountability mechanisms, including SDG follow-up, CEDAW, WPS, EVAW prevention, migration governance, anticipatory action and humanitarian coordination. Increased representation of marginalized groups. Across UN Women-supported platforms, participants included women with disabilities, indigenous women, LGBTQIA+ groups, ethnic and religious minorities, migrant women workers and young women. The 30 for 2030 Network brought together 80 women leaders from 23 countries (40% from marginalized communities), while the Regional AI School included 12 persons with disabilities and 25 indigenous or ethnic minority participants. In EVAW prevention spaces, inclusive co-design enabled organizations of persons with disabilities and LGBTIQ+ groups to contribute alongside ASEAN, government and regional stakeholders, strengthening intersectional prevention priorities. Improved confidence and capability to exercise voice and leadership, including in restrictive and high-risk contexts. Among 113 AI School graduates, 82.8% reported applying AI concepts, 91.4% rated tools as very or extremely useful, and self-rated “poor” confidence declined to 0%. Participants in Gen-Forum 2025–2026, including indigenous youth, youth with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ youth and ethnic or religious minorities, demonstrated increased understanding of WPS frameworks, inclusive governance, climate peace and security and CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, with early engagement in policy dialogue and peer mobilization. Greater visibility and influence of women-led actors in crisis settings. The WE Respond Dashboard expanded from 99 to 124 women-led and women- and gender-focused organizations across 19 countries, strengthening access to coordination, advocacy and humanitarian opportunities as well as visibility. Engagement with the Asia–Pacific Regional Humanitarian Pooled Fund resulted in OCHA-reported engagement with 30 WLOs, including 18 supported through the joint UN Women–OCHA process, improving access to financing and partnerships. Increased collective influence on policy and normative processes. Through the GPS Regional Framework, structured dialogues, regional platforms, and coordination mechanisms enabled regular and protected engagement of CSOs in governance, peace and security processes. Women’s collective agency translated into concrete outcomes, including adoption of NAP WPS in Malaysia and Thailand, CSO contributions to the 2025 UN Peacebuilding Architecture Review (including through the 2024 Gen-Forum), and strengthened WPS agenda-setting in Mongolia, where women’s organizations contributed evidence-informed inputs to NAP development and established a national WPS coalition to sustain coordination and representation. Strengthened regional coordination and movement building on EVAW prevention and migration governance. The Asia Network to Prevent GBV and the Southeast Asia GBV Prevention Platform aligned shared prevention priorities and advocacy across South and Southeast Asia, while a Regional Dialogue ahead of SVRI Forum 2026 broadened intersectional and inter-generational collaboration and research-to-policy linkages. Through the IRCC supported ‘Enhancing Engagement of WROs in Labour Migration Governance’ project, women’s rights organizations in Southeast Asia strengthened their leadership, voice, and collective agency in regional migration governance processes. As a result of targeted capacity-building and coordinated advocacy support, 45 representatives from 13 WROs across 8 countries actively engaged in high-level regional and international migration policy dialogues, including the ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour and the 2 nd Regional Review of the Global Compact for Migration. Strengthened coordination with UN agencies such as IOM, ILO, and regional CSO partners enabled trained WROs to meaningfully participate in intergovernmental spaces and engage decision-makers to advocate for gender-responsive migration laws, policies, and national planning processes that incorporate migrant women’s rights and needs. Impacts of these on women and girls are more evident at the country level but collectively, these results demonstrate a shift from symbolic participation to sustained, informed, and collective engagement by women and girls, supported by strengthened safeguards, peer solidarity, and institutional access that reduce risks of retaliation and exclusion. UN Women contributed to these results by expanding protected participation spaces, strengthening leadership and technical capacity, enabling access to decision-making and financing, and reinforcing safeguarding and accountability systems across development and humanitarian contexts. Platform-building and convening: UN Women created and sustained regional platforms across EVAW prevention, WPS, youth leadership, migration governance, and humanitarian coordination, enabling hundreds of women leaders and CSO representatives to engage safely and meaningfully with policymakers, UN partners, and humanitarian actors. Capacity development linked to action: Initiatives such as the AI School, Gen-Forum, WPS dialogues, EVAW prevention platforms, and humanitarian learning spaces strengthened women’s ability to organize, advocate, and influence, including on emerging issues such as digital security, ethical AI, climate peace and security, and cybersecurity. Access to resources and accountability: Support to women-led organizations’ engagement with humanitarian financing mechanisms, combined with strengthened accountability tools (e.g., Gender Alerts, dashboards, advocacy briefs, and gender icons), improved women-led actors’ ability to influence both decisions and resource flows. Amplification of women’s voices and narratives: Advocacy moments such as International Women’s Day, the 16 Days of Activism, and International Migrants Day 2025 enabled women, particularly migrant women workers, to exercise agency through public dialogue and storytelling. The International Migrants Day Symposium alone engaged over 350 stakeholders, strengthening awareness and coordination on gender-responsive migration governance. Despite progress, women’s leadership and agency continue to be constrained by shrinking civic space and funding shortfalls, online harassment and digital surveillance, structural and digital inequalities, and rapidly evolving technologies requiring continuous updates to ethical and safeguarding guidance. Results show that women’s agency is strongest when skills-building is paired with safeguarding, peer solidarity, and institutional access. Regional platforms and coalitions such as the AI School Steering Committee (22 youth leaders), WPS coalitions, EVAW prevention networks, and regional humanitarian coordination mechanisms, provide structured pathways for replication and adaptation to local risk contexts. Continued investment in safe digital participation, collective advocacy, and access to financing remains critical to sustaining and scaling gains in women’s leadership, voice, and agency across development, crisis-affected, and fragile settings.