The Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) organized an Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Meeting, entitled “Women at the Center: Prioritizing Women’s Rights and Empowerment in COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Recovery” in a hybrid format in Manila, the Philippines, on 22-24 October.

This thematic meeting on gender, which is one of AFPPD’s three priority strategic pillars (gender equality and women’s empowerment, investing in youth, and active ageing), was hosted by the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development (PLCPD) and supported by UNFPA Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO) and Japan Trust Fund (JTF) with cooperation from the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF).

More than 70 participants (in person and virtually) from the Asia-Pacific region, including parliamentarians, officers of national committees on population and development, representatives of UNFPA, CSOs and other partners, engaged in policy dialogues for developing policies and legislation on the road to COVID-19 pandemic recovery, particularly in the areas of women’s economic empowerment and political participation, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and the prevention of violence against women and girls. Hon. Prof. Keizo Takemi, Chair of AFPPD and Executive Director of JPFP, delivered an opening speech and led the discussions during the meeting.

Moreover, an AFPPD Executive Committee meeting and a Training on financing for SRHR were held in conjunction with the thematic meeting.

MOVIE
■A short video clip made by PLCPD
https://youtu.be/Hll8heccsp8

■Report（PDF）
Asia-Pacific Parliamentarians’ Meeting: Women at the Center