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REMARKS BY IMRANA JALAL, Moderator, ADB Gender Specialist in charge of Technical Assistance Project, Promoting Gender Equality in the

Labor Market I acknowledge the presence of ADB, DG SERD James Nugent, Director ILO Manila Jeff Lawrence and Executive Director PCW, Emmeline Versoza. Ladies and Gentlemen May I welcome you all here today on behalf of ADB, ILO and the PCW Today we are jointly launching 5 publications, the titles of which are self-explanatory (and a mouthful to say the least!). Good Global Legal Practices to Promote Gender Equality in the Labor Market, Good Global Economic and Social Practices to Promote Gender Equality in the Labor Market, Gender Equality and the Labor Market: Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines, Gender Equality in the Labor Market in Cambodia and Gender Equality in the Labor Market in the Philippines. Four of the publications have been produced in partnership with the ILO,and the Philippines one also with the PCW. The 5 publications are the result of an ADB Technical Assistance desk research project Promoting Gender Equality in the Labor Market commenced in 2011and completed late last year. Based on an analysis of gender inequalities, strategies and promising initiatives to counter gender discrimination and promote equality between men and women in Cambodia, Kazakhstan, and the Philippines the 3 reports summarize the findings and recommendations for these countries. The 2 country studies contain detailed information and analysis about gender equality in the labor market. They show how to improve equitable employment opportunities, remuneration, and treatment for women and men at work to support the development of decent work and gender equality good practices. Their applicability however stretches beyond these 3 countries as the findings mirror many of the practices in other countries in Asia. The two Good Practices provide samples of practices from around the globe which might be useful for adapting and emulating in our region to promote more and better decent work for women. Among the findings are what the authors, Robyn Layton, former Judge of the Supreme Court of South Australia, now Adjunct Professor of Law, University of South Australia and Fiona MacPhail, Professor of Economics, University of Northern British Columbia, Canada call the 7 gender gaps in the labor market. You will hear more about these subsequently. The publications reveal that there has been little improvement in gender equality in the labor market in either Cambodia or the Philippines as measured by the share of women in waged employment in the non-agriculture sector. Reducing womens unpaid domestic

The views expressed in this paper are the views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this paper and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this paper do not imply any view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.

and care work is an important strategy to facilitate the participation of women on more equal terms with men in the labor market. The countries face the task of generating employment growth, reducing vulnerable employment, and improving decent work opportunities. This will require broad macroeconomic responses to expand employment opportunities as well as policies and legislation to improve decent work, social protection, and active labor market support. May I conclude by thanking the principal authors for the publications, Robyn Layton and Fiona Macphail as well as the national consultants from each country. These include, in Cambodia, Keo Socheat, and Sreymom Sum of the Cambodian Development Resource Institute and lawyer, Ry Ouk. In the Philippines, Leda Celis, Myla Magsombol,and Carolyn Sobritchea; and Dinara Akynbekova, Dinara Issayeva, and Aigul Toxanova from Kazakhstan (ERI). May I also thank the ILO for being such excellent and cooperative partners and its significant contribution to this project and the publications, in particular Nelien Haspels and Sukti Dasgupta of the ILO Regional Office in Bangkok, and ILO consultant Lisa Cox. Special mention should also be made of Jennifer Verlini for her careful editing of all 5 reports. I also take this opportunity to thank Rocilyn Laccay for her wonderful book covers, Edith Creuss for the layout and Kae Sugawara for her wordsmithing. I make special mention of Rodel Bautista for his great support in getting the publications uploaded in time. Countless thanks are owed the numerous ADB and ILO staff who provided extensive comments on various drafts. They are individually acknowledged in the publications. Many thanks.

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