ERIA and the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation (ASEAN-IPR) are pleased to announce a call for proposals under a joint research initiative exploring the intersection between Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and the participation of women in the Digital Economy (WDE) across Southeast Asia.

This study aims to generate evidence-based insights that support policy planning by integrating gender, peacebuilding, and economic empowerment. Its findings will contribute to key outputs such as a public symposium, a policy brief, and broader knowledge dissemination – informing how the WPS Agenda can be further incorporated into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint. Special attention will be given to post-conflict communities, with the goal of developing actionable recommendations for ASEAN and related bodies to enhance digital-enabled women’s economic empowerment.

The research aligns with the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action (RPA) on WPS, specifically under the Protection Pillar, as well as the Relief and Recovery Pillar. The study supports efforts to promote and protect women’s and girls’ rights in conflict-affected areas and during times of crisis, while also exploring private sector engagement and data-driven initiatives that centre women’s experiences in relief and recovery.

Following the completion of Phase I – which involved desk research and the development of a conceptual framework – Phase II will focus on case selection, fieldwork, and applied analysis in selected ASEAN Member States. Proposals should build on this foundational work, using the established WPS-WDE Conceptual Framework and Fieldwork Guidebook.

Researchers are invited to contribute towards the following objectives:

• Explore the links between WPS and WDE participation in the ASEAN context.
• Identify success stories and good practices that illustrate the connection between women’s empowerment, peace, and prosperity.
• Assess the role of digital technologies in empowering women, while considering risks such as cyber violence and misinformation.
• Analyse how women’s economic empowerment contributes to sustainable peace, especially in post-conflict settings, and prosperity.

Required Documents

• Curriculum Vitaes (CVs) of all members of Research Team
• A Brief Research Proposal, which should include at least the following, but not limited to:

1. Introduction & Objectives
2. Fieldwork Plan: potential area of focus, logistics for site visits and interview, instruments and tools for data collection
3. Field Research Schedule/Timeline: expected completion of data collection, analysis, and reporting in accordance with the above general timeline

• Budget Proposal of each case study (please refer to the template provided)

Please send your application to [email protected] with the email subject ‘Application_Field Research_ASEAN-IPR ERIA Joint Research’ no later than Friday, 9 May 2025, at 17:00 (GMT+7). Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

For more details, download the Terms of Reference below. The Budget Proposal Form is also attached.

1. Terms of Reference Phase II - Field Research

2. Budget Proposal Template