In this second episode of the Social Inclusion Series*, we explore how ageing populations are reshaping social protection needs and development across Asia and the Pacific. While demographic trends vary widely across the region, countries are increasingly facing issues on how to support income security, health, care, and dignity in later life. The episode explores the links between ageing, pension systems, and the care economy, which has long relied on women’s unpaid labour, including how family-based care is coming under increasing pressure from migration, urbanisation, and changing social and economic conditions. Drawing on examples from the Asia-Pacific region, with a closer look at the experience of Fiji, our guests discuss how social protection can evolve to complement family and community support, reduce poverty, and strengthen resilience across the life course. Meet our guests: Philip O’Keefe, Professor of Practice, Centre for Population Ageing Research (CEPAR), University of New South Wales Jesse Doyle, Senior Social Protection Specialist (Economist), P4SP Ms Rozia Bi, National Coordinator - Social Protection Reforms, Fiji Ministry of Women, Children & Social Protection For our Quick Wins segment, we spoke with Meghna Ranganathan, Associate Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who shared insights on how the impacts of social protection interventions on intimate partner violence and household dynamics evolve over time, and reflected on more inclusive approaches to research and evidence. *The Social Inclusion Series, produced by socialprotection.org in partnership with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), is a three-part series that explores how social protection systems can advance the economic and social inclusion of vulnerable populations across the Indo-Pacific, in line with GEDSI principles, addressing key themes such as gender equality, demographic shifts, and disability inclusion. Resources: Publication | World social protection report 2024-26: Regional companion report for Asia and the Pacific Publication | Social Outlook for Asia and the Pacific 2024 - Protecting our Future Today: Social Protection in Asia and the Pacific Publication | Toward a Resilient Care Ecosystem in Asia and the Pacific - Promising Practices, Lessons Learned, and Pathways for Action on Decent Care Work Publication | Caring Societies, Inclusive, and Green Economies in Asia and the Pacific: Unveiling Data To Advance Women’s Empowerment Beyond GDP Blog | Why Asia-Pacific should care about care: Care infrastructure is the next frontier development solution across the region Blog | Ageing in the Global South: The challenge of social protection Publication | Future demand for care in Indonesia, the Philippines & Vietnam Website | Cash Transfer and IPV Research Collaborative Publication | Evolution of intimate partner violence impacts from cash transfers, food transfers, and behaviour change communication: Mixed-method experimental evidence from a nine-year post-programme follow-up in Bangladesh Publication | Decolonising implementation science: a call for methodological pluralism
