MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged women leaders across Southeast Asia to keep taking up space, stressing the crucial role women play in security, resilience, and economic prosperity.
During his keynote address at the 4th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Women Leaders’ Summit in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, Marcos implored women to remain steadfast in asserting their influence across all sectors.
“To our women leaders in governance, civil society, business, and technology: Keep leading, keep demanding space, keep pushing our region forward," Marcos said.
Marcos noted that despite sustaining families and local economies for generations, women remain underrepresented in national parliaments and cabinets across Asean member states.
“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,” said Marcos.
