Women Political Leaders Up the Ante at Democracy Conference

It is said that when women rise, their communities and countries rise with them.

Guided by this belief, women from all over the Southeast and East Asia, including CALD Women’s Caucus Chair Jaslyn Go, and CALD Program Officer Chelse Racar Caballero, gathered at a Women Empowerment Conference, “Women-Up Democracy,” on 28 October 2024, at Chatrium Grand Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand.

Organized by Friedrich Naumann Foundation Southeast and East Asia (FNF SEEA), the conference brought a feminine-filled energy into the hall as various women from the Philippines, Thailand, Korea, Malaysia and Indonesia shared empowering messages, experiences, and insights on the role of women in politics and society. The event aimed to create a platform that fosters a supportive sphere for female leaders with diverse backgrounds, and to promote gender equality and democratic leadership.

The morning session began with Former Philippine Senator Leila de Lima, who shared her inspiring journey as a woman opposition leader and a frequent target of political attacks. Despite the challenges that came her way, she never wavered in her commitment to serve the Filipino people, particularly those affected by the bloody war on drugs. She further stressed the amount of strength women should have to be able to survive and thrive in the face of political adversity. “For too long, we women have been expected to survive in a man’s world, navigating a landscape dominated by patriarchal norms and structures that often seek to silence us. But I assert that our fight has shifted,” said de Lima. “We are no longer merely surviving; we are thriving, leading and demanding our rightful place at the table, because indeed, women hold half the sky.”

A panel discussion, led by BBC Jouralist Panisa Aemocha, featured various political leaders, including CALD Women’s Caucus Chairperson Go, discussing their personal struggles and the challenges they face as women working to promote a more inclusive political sphere. “I may have lacked qualification at first, but my team and I chose to rise above the challenges. Being a politician shouldn’t be limited to gender or background,” said Go. In advocating for a more inclusive space, Go noted: “Change doesn’t come overnight. It requires courage to break stereotypes and commitment to keep going, even when the odds are against you.”

The afternoon featured an interactive session designed to create political conversations on topics such as mentorship and networking for female politicians, combatting gender-based violence in politics, work-life balance in political careers, media representation of women politicians, and advancing gender-sensitive politics. These topics were assessed better through the use of the “three-horizon” approach which allowed the participants to unlock ideas and communicate their opinions even more. There were facilitators at each table actively engaging with the participants, processing their insights and summarizing the discussions.

The conference recognized that much more needs to be done  to transform  the political field into an inclusive ground where everyone can have equal voice and opportunities. But it ended with the participants gaining a broader understanding of the challenges that female politicians face in Southeast and East Asia. In the process, the event also further strengthened ties among women leaders, inspiring more women to enter the political arena.

“While it is uplifting to meet women from diverse backgrounds—whether as daughters, wives, mothers, leaders, or in many other roles—coming together to discuss common issues and challenges, I aspire to a future where these issues are no longer taboo for men or other genders to address,” shared Chelse, reflecting on her experience. “Though we have made significant progress, I hope for a future where development focuses on enabling all individuals to maximize their potential, regardless of gender or sexuality.”