Globalization – the growing integration of economies and societies around the world – is a complex process that is variously affecting different regions, countries and areas and their populations. The complex and contradictory impacts of globalization are notably marked in the situation of women in the Asia Pacific region. Among other things,

• Globalization has enhanced employment opportunities for women, where previously they had not existed.
• The migration of women in search of employment opportunities has helped to ease the problem of poverty in many cases and meet the labour needs of a number of countries.
• Globalization has also contributed to the creation of new associations of women and the strengthening of their networks to offer mutual support and resources.
• In several countries in the region, new information and communications technology (ICT) have improved the access of women to health, microcredit, employment opportunities and information in general.

However, globalization has further reinforced many existing gender inequalities:

• The traditional sexual division of labour has been furthered through the addition of new locations and forms of work. What remains constant is the low economic value accorded to work performed primarily by women in conditions of exploitation, no job security and violations of human rights.
• Perhaps the most critical of the impacts of globalization on women is the worsening situation of violence against women. One aspect of this deserves urgent attention – the trafficking of women and girls.

Within Asia and the Pacific, UNESCAP promotes regional and sub-regional cooperation, provides technical assistance and capacity building support in order to manage the positive and negative consequences of globalization.