The Federal Foreign Office of Germany and Kubernein Initiative have taken the joint initiative to consolidate past and current perspectives and understand the extent of gender mainstreaming in the Indo-Pacific region, with a focus on climate, trade and economic security, human and non-traditional security. We consider the centrality of human security in the Indo-Pacific and aim to explore ways forward for shaping more inclusive policies within the region, as well as learn from best practices that may be particularly relevant to Indo-German engagement. The policy brief is part of a series of publications under Kubernein Initiative and the Federal Foreign Office’s joint project. Our perspective is rooted in Germany’s ‘Feminist Foreign Policy’ vision, and Kubernein Initiative’s work on inclusive foreign policy from an Indian context.

In this brief, author Dr Athiqah Nur Alami of the National Research and Innovation Agency (Badan Riset dan Inovasi Nasional- BRIN), Indonesia argues that ASEAN can play a stronger role in bringing the importance of gender inclusion to the Indo-Pacific, and discusses the role of women in various aspects of society, including their engagement in building community resilience, and fostering peace and security in the region. The brief outlines ASEAN’s gender mainstreaming strategies and how they can be extended to the Indo-Pacific. The brief further explores potential strategies and avenues for ASEAN to strengthen its cooperation with partners, such as India and Germany, to create more inclusive action-oriented policies within Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.