New social issues have emerged in
recent years. Foremost is HIV/AIDS, for which only a small window
of opportunity exists to save the region from a catastrophe of unprecedented
proportions. The region, with its huge population base, has one of
the fastest-growing epidemics in the world, fuelled by commercial
sex and injecting drug use.
Equally daunting is the increased trafficking in human beings, particularly
children and women. The growing inequalities and increasing population
mobility within and across countries have made many social groups
more vulnerable than ever before. Certain groups are marginalized
in the development process owing to their disability, gender or age.
Gender inequality continues to be at the root of many economic and
social disparities in the region. New approaches are required, in
addition to gender mainstreaming, which explicitly recognize women’s
right to equality.
UNESCAP works to support countries in building national capacities
to develop and implement policies and programmes that address these
emerging and persistent social issues. In our work, particular attention
is given building effective partnerships with all sectors of civil
society and to promoting the rights of vulnerable groups, including
women, youth, persons with disabilities, older persons, people living
with HIV/AIDS, especially among the poor.
Learn
more about our work programme under the theme of emerging social
issues
