The "AsiaPac" region is extremely diverse and covers Asia, East Asia, West Asia and the Pacific regions. Because this region is extremely broad and diverse, the Gender Initiative has been launched in the following countries in order to establish a working knowledge of the different regions. The countries thus far include India, Korea, and Philippines. In East Asia, Korea, has been recovering from its economic crisis during the past decade. The region is showing moderate to high levels of economic growth ranging from the previous years. However, in other regions of East Asia, there are great levels of inequity in many of these countries. In Asia, the Philippines and India offer a unique contrast. The Philippines has a greater level of education of girls and subsequent employment of women while India remains a region of great disparities in the distribution of wealth, resources and consequently, access to employment and education. However in all regions, one factor is certain: in terms of gender policies, there has been a recent heightening of awareness throughout this part of the world to improve the conditions of women.