President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called on ASEAN governments to move beyond pledges on women’s leadership and embed gender equality in policies, investments and reforms shaping the region’s development through 2045.
Speaking at the 4th ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit in Manila on Tuesday, Marcos said regional declarations would have limited value unless translated into measurable government action.
“Declarations and summits are certainly valuable. Action is our true currency,” Marcos said, pointing to the summit’s Joint Ministerial Statement on Women’s Leadership for Inclusive Prosperity as a framework for implementation.
The Philippine president urged member states to incorporate the statement’s commitments into national development plans and regional frameworks, saying government decisions on laws, policies and investments should reflect agreed priorities on women’s leadership.
Marcos also highlighted women’s continued underrepresentation in decision-making across ASEAN, arguing that the issue extends beyond representation to the range of voices shaping economic and public policy.
“This is not simply a gap in representation. It is a gap in leadership,” he said.
He called for stronger leadership pipelines and wider pathways for women to enter decision-making roles, as well as a regional network that could connect women leaders across Southeast Asia.
The agenda also has an economic dimension. Under the Philippines’ ASEAN chairship, Marcos said Manila is accelerating initiatives on digital financial inclusion and market integration designed to benefit women-led enterprises.
The initiatives reflect a broader effort to position women not only as beneficiaries of economic development but as participants in investment, entrepreneurship and policymaking.
“Women are not simply beneficiaries of our progress. They are leaders and innovators shaping ASEAN’s future,” Marcos said, calling for policies and institutions to reflect that role.
