This publication examines the social protection systems and the crisis-designed social safety nets in China, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, and Thailand. An overview of the Asian economic crisis and its social impacts on women is given. The situation of women and their employment status are reviewed. The policy measures in response to the crisis and their effectiveness in gender terms are discussed. The social safety net initiatives and future plans for an improved social protection system are presented. This volume is based on papers prepared for the ESCAP Expert Group Meeting on Social Safety Nets for Women held at Bangkok from 2-4 May 2001