Breaking Barriers: EAPGIL’s Eight-Year Journey Toward Gender Equality in East Asia and the Pacific

Over the past eight years, the East Asia and Pacific Gender Innovation Lab (EAPGIL) has played a pivotal role in advancing gender equality in East Asia and the Pacific. Their research, detailed in the report "What Have We Learned from EAPGIL Research? Accomplishments and Lessons Learned from the World Bank’s East Asia and Pacific Gender Innovation Lab 2016 – 2024", has uncovered critical insights into the factors driving gender gaps in entrepreneurship, the impact of social protection and childcare on women’s empowerment, and the challenges that lie ahead. As EAPGIL looks to the future, their focus on climate, leadership, and violence prevention will be key to continuing this vital work. This report was sourced from the World Bank.

In a world that continues to grapple with gender inequality, the East Asia and Pacific Gender Innovation Lab (EAPGIL) has been at the forefront of research and action, aiming to turn the tide for women across the region. Since its inception in 2016, EAPGIL has set its sights on one critical mission: to generate evidence on what works—and what doesn't—in promoting gender equality, and to translate this evidence into better policies and programs. As their work from 2016 to 2024 comes to a close, the lab's accomplishments and the lessons learned offer valuable insights for the future.

Shining a Light on Gender Gaps

EAPGIL's journey began with a commitment to uncover the root causes of gender inequality. Over the past eight years, they have completed nine impact evaluations and conducted 25 inferential research studies, shedding light on the persistent gender gaps in entrepreneurship, agriculture, social protection, and childcare, among other areas.

One of the standout findings from EAPGIL's research is the role of business size and input disparities in driving gender gaps in entrepreneurship. Women, particularly in microenterprises, are often at a disadvantage due to lower access to capital, fewer employees, and societal expectations that limit their time and resources. However, EAPGIL's work also highlights that these gaps can be narrowed through targeted interventions such as skills training, financial inclusion initiatives, and efforts to reduce women's domestic care burden. These strategies not only empower women economically but also contribute to closing the gender gap in profits and business sustainability.

Empowering Women Through Social Protection and Childcare

Social protection programs have long been seen as a tool to reduce poverty and inequality, but EAPGIL's research adds a new dimension to this understanding by exploring their impact on women's empowerment. Public works programs, for instance, have been shown to boost women's decision-making power within their households and communities. However, the sustainability of these impacts remains a challenge, particularly for poorer households. This insight has led to ongoing efforts to combine public works with other livelihood support programs, tailored to different poverty levels.

Childcare emerged as another critical area of focus for EAPGIL. The research underscores the significant impact that childcare services can have on women's economic participation. In Indonesia, for example, the availability of public preschools was found to increase the workforce participation of mothers with young children by 9.1 percent. Yet, the benefits of childcare extend beyond just women's participation in the workforce. EAPGIL's studies reveal that childcare availability can also boost firm productivity, reduce employee turnover, and even improve health and education outcomes for other household members.

Despite these benefits, the expansion of childcare services faces hurdles, particularly related to trust and social norms. Many parents in the region remain skeptical about the quality of childcare services, which affects demand even when full discounts are offered. EAPGIL's research suggests that addressing these social barriers is essential for the successful implementation of childcare initiatives.

Priorities for the Future: Climate, Leadership, and Violence Prevention

As EAPGIL looks to the future, its research points to several key priorities that will shape the gender equality landscape in East Asia and the Pacific. Among these is the intersection of gender and climate change. The lab recognizes the need to explore how climate-related policies and programs can better serve women, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Another priority is expanding support for childcare and eldercare, which remains a significant barrier to women's full economic participation. EAPGIL also emphasizes the importance of fostering women leaders, not only in business but across all sectors of society. Leadership programs and initiatives that encourage women to step into decision-making roles are seen as crucial for driving long-term change.

Finally, the fight against gender-based violence remains a central concern. EAPGIL's research highlights the need for innovative, context-specific approaches to measuring and addressing violence against women. As the lab continues its work, these priorities will guide future research and interventions, ensuring that the progress made over the past eight years is not only sustained but accelerated.