The pandemic’s multiple effects are not fully understood in the region. There are still many unknowns, not least of which is the timeframe of virus’ spread and response. Decision-making is difficult in the absence of robust data. For example, policymakers should consider the impact of school closures on millions of students in East Asia and the Pacific.4 While many schools have been able to mitigate ...

Women’s economic empowerment is crucial to boosting job creation and economic growth globally. In Asia and the Pacific, closing the gender gap in economic opportunities by 2025 is estimated to increase gross domestic product (GDP) by 12 percent. 1 Women’s entrepreneurship is a key component of women’s economic empowerment, and beyond the economic gains, women’s entrepreneurship is crucial to advancing ...