Megatrend 1: Global economic power shift Global economic power has shifted from West to East, with China at the forefront of this transition.5 From being sources of raw materials and labor, emerging economies are evolving into exporters of capital and hubs of important economic products and services.6 It is altering the global pattern of capital flow, government regulations and investment support, and business processes in ways that have implications for sustainable development. A common challenge despite the growth in emerging economies is the increasing disparity in economic participation between women and men. Women face a higher likelihood to fall into vulnerable employment, such as in the service and manufacturing sectors. Megatrend 2: The rise of technology Advancements in information and communications technology (ICT) have made market interactions and financial transactions easier and faster. Some corporations are now using machine learning capabilities and artificial intelligence for routine and support work. While this megatrend can generate new investment opportunities, it has negative and positive impacts on the world of work. For those in industries where human labor is replaceable by technology, e.g., in the business process outsourcing industry, it can lead to job insecurity and job displacement. For those who can adapt and transition, they can maximize the growing availability of remote work. Megatrend 3: Changing demographics Shifts in countries' demographics contribute to the other megatrends, such as the shift in economic power and rapid urbanization. Countries with rising populations will have larger labor supply and consumer markets, while countries with aging populations will have constrained workforces. These situations lead to several scenarios that will force governments and the business sector to change how they perceive social changes. Moreover, shifts in demographics can create a double challenge for women who are often expected to take on care-taking responsibilities, which extend from the young to the elderly members of the family. It also raises questions about the sustainability of social security programs. Megatrend 4: Accelerating urbanization The ongoing global trend in which people are slowly concentrating on living in urban areas is linked to the rapid increase of megacities in the last three 7 decades. Accelerating urbanization contributes to other megatrends, such as climate change due to higher carbon emissions in urban areas. It can result in job creation, increased investments in infrastructures and healthcare systems, and drastic security improvements. However, it can also lead to issues in accessing resources and services tailored to the needs of the vulnerable and marginalized sectors, e.g., the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services of women and youth. This situation also impacts the health and well-being of employees in urban areas. Megatrend 5: Climate change The impacts of climate change affect almost every aspect of the human and natural world. Likewise, every known industry is at risk, forcing the private sector to "futureproof" their businesses by introducing new ways of doing business to ensure survivability amid the changing climate. Although everyone experiences climate change impacts, women are disproportionately affected because climate-related hazards exacerbate gender inequalities.8 Climate change requires transformative and sustainable approaches from the government, the private sector, and communities. 3