International Women's Day East Asia Pacific

World Bank in East Asia Pacific

This International Women’s Day 2021, we’re getting to know a selection of resilient and powerful women across East Asia and the Pacific who are helping to lead their people through the current global crisis and are creating a better future for us all in a COVID-19 world.

Meet the Women Who are Leading the Way in East Asia and Pacific (EAP)

#IWD2021 is a good entry point for governments, private sector and citizens across EAP to recommit to gender equality, redouble efforts to safeguard gains and fully tap the power of women to contribute to strong, resilient and inclusive economies and societies in the region.

#Cambodia | Fighting for gender equality is a tough job. However, Sopheap Ros says improvements can be made if we invest more in young women. #IWD2021

#China | Li Ying has handled hundreds of cases of gender-based discrimination and violence and provided legal aid to thousands of vulnerable women. #ChooseToChallenge

#Fiji | Alisi Rabukawaqa is a champion of ocean conservation and uses marine science to help protect oceans – and the planet – for future generations. #IWD2021

#Indonesia | Kartika Jahja, singer-songwriter & gender activist sees many women have stepped up to enhance their potential and thrive better when handling the crisis. #ChooseToChallenge

#Kiribati | As the Country Liaison Officer for the World Bank in Kiribati, Akka Rimon has seen how development can change lives. She coordinates large investments to improve living standards in her country. #IWD2021

#LaoPDR | As a volunteer radio host, Chandavone Sinamonty made it her mission to spread accurate news and “bring knowledge” to help her community fight #COVID19. #InternationalWomensDay

#Malaysia | After a career spanning over 15 years with the UNHCR, Sumitra Visvanathan returned to Malaysia to lead the Women’s Aid Organization as its Executive Director. #InternationalWomensDay

#MarshallIslands | The Hon. Kitlang Kabua is the youngest woman ever elected to Marshallese politics and is the Minister for Education, Sports, and Training for the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI). #IWD2021

#Micronesia | Former Secretary of Finance for the Marshall Islands, Ms. Maybelline Andon-Bing is the founder of an NGO that advocates good governance and more equitable communities across Micronesia. #IWD2021

#Mongolia | Enkhbayar Tumur-Ulzii is Head of Mongolia's National Committee on Gender Equality. She is making an impact at the national policy level with ideas and actions to improve gender equality. #InternationalWomensDay

#Palau | has managed to make a big impact on Pacific sports thanks to the tireless efforts of Baklai Temengil, the Secretary General of the Palau National Olympic Committee. #IWD2021

#PNG | In Papua New Guinea, cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dr. Pamela Toliman refuses to accept that and is researching innovative approaches for cervical cancer screening in her home country. #ChooseToChallenge

#Samoa | Antonia Wong is one of the longest-serving staff members in the World Bank offices in the South Pacific where she’s proud to support projects that engage with local communities. #IWD2021

#SolomonIslands | Shalom Akao Waita is a former national basketball and netball representative for Solomon Islands. A mother of four, she is now the CEO of the 2023 Pacific Games Organizing Committee.  #IWD2021

#Thailand | Phonchan Kraiwatnutsorn would like to make positive changes in Thailand. For the past decade, she has been inspiring Thais to become changemakers through her social enterprise, School of Changemakers. #ChooseToChallenge

#TimorLeste | Endang Soares da Silva is the Executive Director of the National Health Laboratory. Thanks to her work, Timor-Leste has been able to perform #COVID19 tests in country ensuring fast & accurate results for everyone. #IWD2021

#Vanuatu | In addition to being a mother and an international athletics coach, Odile Siro is an expert procurement specialist working on the largest active World Bank-funded project in Vanuatu. #ChooseToChallenge

#Vietnam | Nguyen Le Khanh Hang is Vietnam’s leading virologist whose research has informed the country’s strategies to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases. She believes that perseverance is key to success because whether it's in laboratories or life, one has to go through countless trials to get to the desired outcomes. #IWD2021

#PNG | Alana Hicks is a successful writer and director who, in 2020, was the winner of the SBS Emerging Writers Competition and Best Director at Flickerfest for her short film. #ChooseToChallenge

#Philippines | Atty. Sha Elijah Dumama-Alba is the chief legal counsel of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. She was a legal officer in New York, but chose to come home for family and the chance to give back to her community. #ChooseToChallenge

#MarshallIslands | At 25-years-old Malie Tarbwilin is already the Assistant Secretary for the Division of International Development Assistance in her home country and an inspiration for young girls looking to pursue their dreams.  #IWD2021

#Samoa | As Principal Lab Technician with the Ministry of Health, Tupou Chan Tung is a vital part of Samoa’s COVID-19 surveillance, screening and tracing capabilities during the pandemic.  #InternationalWomensDay

#SolomonIslands | Mother of three, Mary Alalo, was the first woman in Solomon Islands to be appointed as a World Bank Project Coordinator on the Community Resilience to Climate and Disaster Risk Project. #IWD2021

#PNG | Emma Wakpi is empowering communities in PNG to fund and direct their own health prevention activities, and a cup of delicious coffee is the first step. #ChooseToChallenge

Learn more

IWD2020: Meet The Women Who Are Breaking Barriers Across East Asia and Pacific

For International Women’s Day 2020, meet pioneering women across East Asia Pacific who are breaking barriers and creating change for the decade ahead.

IWD2019: Thinking Equal in East Asia Pacific: Meet Women Driving Change Across the Region

On International Women’s Day 2019, we shared stories of women doing inspiring work across East Asia and the Pacific.

Blog: After the pandemic, put women first

From education to entrepreneurship, global recovery efforts need to pay particular attention to the needs of women and girls.

Trade Facilitation Challenges for Women Traders in the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste

Women-led firms experience greater trade challenges in the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste. Promoting gender equality will help expand their role in the economy.

#IWD2021

On Twitter

Additional Resources

#IWD2021 Around the World
Topic: The World Bank In Gender