Marcos to women leaders: Keep leading, demand space, push ASEAN forward

Metro Manila, Philippines –  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged women leaders across Southeast Asia to continue pushing for greater representation and participation in government, business, civil society and technology, saying women are central to the future of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Speaking at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, Sept. 29, Marcos said women’s leadership is essential for the region.

“Women’s leadership is not optional to our regional agenda. It is the core driver of our security, resilience, and prosperity,” he said.

He said women across Southeast Asia have long sustained families, strengthened communities and driven economies, but their contributions have often been undervalued.

“That must change. Women are not simply beneficiaries of our progress. They are leaders and innovators, shaping ASEAN’s future and our policies, institutions and investments must reflect this,” he added.

Greater representation

Marcos said women remain underrepresented in the cabinets and parliaments of ASEAN members, calling for stronger leadership pipelines and pathways for women to participate in decision-making.

He also proposed establishing a regional network that would connect, support, and strengthen women leaders across ASEAN.

“If we are serious about inclusive prosperity, we must transform the economic landscape for women,” Marcos said.

He noted that more than 60 million micro and small and medium enterprises in ASEAN are owned or managed by women, but said limited access to capital and gaps in digital skills continue to constrain their growth.

Under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship, Marcos said the country is pushing digital financial inclusion and market integration measures that would benefit women-led enterprises.

Care economy

Marcos also called for greater attention to the care economy, noting that unpaid care work disproportionately falls on women and can limit their participation in the formal workforce.

“By investing in care infrastructure and redistributing care obligations, we do not just support women, we unlock billions of dollars in economic potential across our region,” he said.

He also highlighted women’s role in conflict prevention and community recovery through ASEAN women, peace, and security agenda.

Marcos said women must also be protected from gender-based violence in digital spaces as the region becomes increasingly digitalized.

“We cannot speak of empowerment while our women and girls face harassment and abuse online,” he said.

In closing, Marcos delivered a direct message to women leaders in governance, civil society, business and technology: “Keep leading, keep demanding space, keep pushing our region forward.”

He said ASEAN should work toward making equality not just a policy goal but a daily reality for women and children across the region.