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8 December, 2025Women union leaders in South East Asia are advancing a gender-transformative agenda through legislative advocacy, social dialogue, and awareness campaigns. This commitment was further strengthened at the South East Asia regional forum of women toward gender-responsive actions and campaigns, held on 24–25 November in Jakarta, where twenty-five women union leaders from across the region pledged to conduct regular gender mapping, build alliances and networks with other trade unions, disseminate information on Convention 190 through study circles, and campaign to end digital violence against women and girls.
At country-levels, unions in the Philippines will continue its campaign for the passage of a House of Representative Bill to implement the Convention 190 in the Philippines. They continue to organize women and young workers at local unions and strengthen the youth and women committees at country-levels.
Indonesian women unionists will initiate social dialogues with stakeholders on a zero tolerance policy on violence and harassment. The Malaysia women’s committee will create posters and campaigns for the implementation of the anti-sexual harassment policy at workplace levels. Thailand’s women activists will integrate LGBTQI+ programs in workplace unions. Cambodia will hold a planning-meeting with members of the women’s committee.
Delegates from each country shared the achievements their unions have made in promoting gender equality, pushing for inclusive workplaces and stronger worker protections. Despite progress, participants also acknowledged persistent challenges rooted in structural barriers, cultural norms and capacity limitations.
IndustriALL South East Asia regional secretary, Ramon Certeza, said:
“The recent IndustriALL Congress has adopted a comprehensive roadmap for gender equality (2025–2029) and a powerful feminist resolution. These initiatives will guide global efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and harassment, promote women’s leadership and ensure gender equality remains central to the global labour movement.”
IndustriALL director of gender and white-collar workers, Armelle Seby, said:
“The recent IndustriALL Congress has adopted a comprehensive roadmap for gender equality (2025–2029) and a powerful feminist resolution. These initiatives will guide global efforts to eliminate gender-based violence and harassment, promote women’s leadership and ensure gender equality remains central to the global labour movement.”