Gender Agenda

For many women in Asia, accessing a bank account is still the first and hardest step. Yet, even when access is granted, the systems around them often fail to recognise women as decision-makers, entrepreneurs, or agents of change. In this episode, Halima Iqbal, founder and CEO of Oraan in Pakistan, and Veronica Colondam, founder and CEO of YCAB Foundation in Indonesia, explore how gender-responsive...

Women’s health is essential — so why is it still an afterthought in public health systems? In this episode, we sit down with Olivia Cotes-James, founder of Good Period, LUÜNA and AVPN Gender Equality Ambassador, and Shruti Lohia Hora, healthcare leader and member of the Asia Gender Network, to unpack the persistent gaps in how healthcare systems across Asia serve women. Together, they explore the...

Gender inequality is a systems issue. Across Asia, women continue to face structural barriers shaped by disparities in health, education, digital access, caregiving, economic participation, and cultural norms. Yet across the region, leaders are working to reimagine these systems so women can thrive, participate meaningfully, and lead change within their communities and companies. In this episode,...

In our bid to make as much progress as possible, it’s worth reminding ourselves that gender equality is a long-term quest. After all, given that it’s projected to take 131 years to close the global gender gap, legacy planning is key. Guests Mercedes Lopez Vargas, Marianna Vargas-Morada, and Rabea Nawaz join us to talk about next generation philanthropy and trends that will shape giving in the futu...

The abolishment of child marriage. Equal representation in national parliaments. The end of discriminatory laws. These goals may seem like impossible dreams, so we’re doing a check-in to see how much progress we’ve made. Guests Radha Goenka, Mona Sinha and Kathleen Chew share their experience from working on the ground, and analyze the role policy has played in helping and hindering their work, dr...

As much as we want to look at the big picture, a broad and wide-ranging approach in philanthropy may end up sidelining people who truly need the support. Vidya Shah of Edelgive and Jessica Espinoza of 2X Global dissect the gender-blind approach that’s all too common with impact funding. Tune in to understand how gender-lens investing can turn out to be a game-changer in philanthropy.

Have we truly broken the glass ceiling? The data might disagree. With only 20% of women in managerial positions and 32% in tech roles across APAC, many barriers still exists. Pranapda Chirathivat of Siam Motors Group and Dragonfly 360, and Shinta Dhanuwardoyo of Bubu.com and Supergirls in Tech, break it down to explain the systemic challenges holding women back.

Fresh from the G20 summit, we take a closer look at women-led development and the importance of women, not just as beneficiaries of impact, but as the leaders of change themselves. Anne Sutanto and Kanta Singh join us for this conversation on the radical shifts that need to happen for sustainable development for women and girls.

A brief introduction to Gender Agenda, the podcast that takes a hard-hitting and honest look at gender lens giving.