856 Million Women to Benefit from APEC Health Policy Toolkit by 2019, says Expert

Manila (PNA) — About 856 million women would benefit from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) health policy toolkit for women by 2019 if covered economies adopt its recommendations.

One of the toolkit drafters said in an interview during an APEC meeting on Friday that the 865 million women workers include the indigenous, cross-border workers, migrant workers, unregulated workers, local casual laborers, and the urban poor.

“The expectation is, by 2019, almost all APEC economies would have implemented parts of the toolkit, because as you know it is a non-binding document, but we expect that given the enthusiasm among the ministers on this topic, they will (adopt this toolkit),” said Dr. Sarbani Chakraborty, global public policy senior director of pharmaceutical giant Merck.

So far, she said, the Philippines, Mexico, and Peru have committed to adopt the Healthy Women, Healthy Economies Policy Toolkit.

“I find all economies are very interested. One of the gaps (is) there is no information in the workplace. That is why we came out with the toolkit,” said Dr. Chakraborty.

The policy recommendations help all women, married or single, helping partners or parents to provide for the household, and caring for the family and home, said APEC Business Advisory Council Chair Doris Magsaysay-Ho.

The toolkit seeks to address the increasing rate of non-communicable diseases among female workers; improve women’s access to health care by providing them and their families health insurance and other health benefits; provide them access to maternal health care and education; raise awareness on sexual harassment in the workplace, among others.

Aside from the toolkit, the APEC also organized an exhibit of iconic APEC women who excel and contribute to sustainable growth and development of micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSMEs).

The Women Icons of APEC are Leonarda Capuyan of the Philippines; Carol Hanlon of Australia; Wendy Pye of New Zealand; Victoria Lennox of Canada; Janet Sape of Papua New Guinea; Andrea Larrazaval of Chile; Rosario Bazán de Aranguri of Peru; Reny Feby of Indonesia;

Anna Nesterova of Russia; Lin Kobayashi of Japan; Shao Jie of People’s Republic of China; Mei-Ping Hasio of Chinese Taipei; Minjai Lee of Republic of Korea; Suwanna Jiwattanapaiboon of Thailand; Bhg Dato’ Hazimah Zainnudin of Malaysia; and Julie Hanna of the United States. (PNA) SCS/PND/EDS