Regional Learning Network on Women’s Financial Security to research costs of caregiving for older women
Representatives from Southeast Asia
attended a two-day advocacy workshop organised by the Regional Learning
Network on Women's Financial Security in Singapore.
The Regional Learning Network on Women’s Financial Security held an Advocacy Workshop on 28-29 November 2018. Representatives from seven countries from Southeast Asia- Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – along with representatives from HelpAge International – attended the two day workshop.
The objective of the workshop was to build upon the findings of the recently completed research study on the ‘Financial Security of Older Women: Perspectives from Southeast Asia’ and develop both regional and country level advocacy strategies.
The enthusiasm and commitment of the participants sparked off many ideas and debates. Vivienne Wee, anthropologist and specialist on evidence-based advocacy guided the participants towards focusing on effective and feasible advocacy strategy plans. Corinna Lim, Executive Director of the Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE) Singapore conducted an informative sharing session on AWARE’s insights into undertaking policy advocacy in Singapore. Based on these sessions, each country developed their own country level advocacy strategies to follow through and action in their respective countries.
At the regional level, HelpAge International and Tsao Foundation will work together to identify some of the most important and beneficial areas for policy advocacy. The Network also agreed that the Network should enhance its media communications to raise awareness on ageing and gender equality, and advocate for other stakeholders such as ASEAN to include older women’s issues in the policy agenda. Finally, in light of the challenges faced during the multi-country, comparative study on “Financial Security of Older Women: Perspectives from Southeast Asia,” the Network will also engage with multinational organisations such as UNFPA and UNWomen on their efforts to improve sex and age disaggregated data.
The cross-country comparative study was also used as a baseline to discuss and agree upon a potential future research study. The Network has decided to initiate collaborative research on the costs of caregiving. AWARE Singapore is already conducting research in this area with Tsao Foundation. Shailey Hingorani, Head, Advocacy and Research, AWARE shared some of the main highlights of this research, which will guide the other members of the Network on the crafting and implementation of their research.
If you are interested in collaborating in this proposed research, or to participate in future network initiatives, please contact ilcsingapore@tsaofoundation.org.
For more information about the inaugural meeting of the Regional Network, click here.
For more information on the 2nd meeting of the Regional Network in 2016, click here.
