[Excerpt] Over the past several decades, rapid growth has transformed the region into a “New Asia” that is more prosperous, urban, and globalized than ever before. Yet much work remains to ensure that the benefits of growth reach everyone in developing Asia. ADO 2015 Update draws attention to the unfinished agenda for gender equality, as Asian women are still disadvantaged in terms of education and workforce participation.
Bringing more women into paid work can be a catalyst for broader social change. Equality between men and women is a goal in its own right, but women are not the only ones who will benefit. Economies in developing Asia will enjoy greater prosperity if they resolve to use all of their human resources to the fullest
