Gender equality

Every child deserves equal opportunities for a bright future. But the 137 million adolescent girls in East Asia and the Pacific often face violence, discrimination and harmful practices that prevent them from enjoying their rights and reaching their full potential.

Women and girls in East Asia and the Pacific face widespread gender-based violence, with severe repercussions to their physical and mental health. Around 81 million girls and women in the region have experienced sexual violence before age 18, and between 39 and 51 per cent of women and girls in the Pacific have experienced intimate partner violence.

Despite global progress, child marriage is still common: 95 million women in the region were married before the age of 18. Girls in poor, rural households with lower levels of education are more likely to be married as children. Additionally, over 80 million girls in Asia have undergone female genital mutilation. Harmful practices and social norms that undervalue girls often force them to leave school early, limiting their future choices and exposing them to heightened risks of early pregnancy and gender-based violence.

Girls in the region have fewer opportunities than boys to develop the digital skills that are essential in today’s economy. One in five young women aged 15–24 are not in education, employment or training, compared to one in eight young men. Harmful stereotypes contribute to this skills gap, hindering girls’ access to careers in digital and green industries. Such inequality makes it more challenging for adolescent girls to transition to well-paid jobs on a par with boys. Without decent work, girls and women face increased vulnerability to poverty and social exclusion.

As a result of bias and harmful social norms, girls’ voices are often silenced or ignored, denying them the right to express themselves and participate in decisions that affect their lives. This can lead to ineffective programmes and services that don't meet the needs of girls and women. For example, without the input of girls and women, planning for weather-related disasters might not consider the unique challenges for them, leaving them more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.