Learning exchange on Care Economy and Social Protection between Cambodia and Laos

Delegates from Cambodia's Ministry of Women's Affairs, the Lao PDR's Lao Women's Union and the ASEAN Secretariat gathered together in Phnom Penh on 28 March 2023 for a ministerial-level learning exchange on Care Economy and Social Protection.

Despite progress in recent years, women in these countries still face significant barriers to accessing economic opportunities, and their participation in the workforce is often limited by cultural and societal norms that reinforce gender stereotypes and restrict mobility.

This learning exchange was an important opportunity for policymakers and experts from Cambodia and Laos to come together and share ideas and best practices related to the Care Economy and Social Protection agenda. Both countries face significant challenges in promoting women's economic empowerment and overcoming gender-based barriers to work, and this event aimed to address these challenges head-on.

Participants discussed a range of topics related to the Care Economy and Social Protection, including the role of the ASEAN Committee on Women (ACW) in promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls, and the ways in which ACW-led plans and programs can be adapted and applied at the country level. They also explored different approaches to promoting care work, and shared ideas for strengthening social protection policies that support women and other vulnerable groups.

This learning exchange represents an important step forward in advancing gender justice and economic empowerment for women in Cambodia, Laos, and throughout the ASEAN region. By sharing experiences and best practices, participants were able to gain new insights and inspiration that will help them to continue driving positive change in their communities and beyond.