Pakistan has repeatedly ranked as the second worst country for gender inequality in the world. In Pakistan women and girls face lack of opportunities, discrimination and violence.

Entrepreneurship is a key means through which women can both empower themselves and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development. A vital part of this agenda includes the 61.3 million women who own and operate businesses within the ten member States of ASEAN.

Social enterprise is gaining ground in the Philippines. Anecdotal evidence from the emergence of social start-ups, incubators and accelerators and social finance prove this. Non-government organisations (NGOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) are also now looking at social enterprise as an organisational model to ensure longer term sustainability of their operations.To date, however, there is little quantitative evidence of social enterprises in the Philippines, including details about their operations and their impact.

ESCAP’s Innovative Financing for Development in Asia and the Pacific report features a diverse selection of case studies illustrating the development of innovative finance in the region. The report, produced in collaboration with STEPI, shines light on different mechanisms supported by governments across the region in the areas of impact investment and public finance for innovation.