The Asia Foundation

East Timor’s achievement of full statehood in May 2002 has placed the responsibilities of government completely in the hands of the East Timorese for the first time in many generations. The violent disruptions following the 1999...

East Timor’s achievement of full statehood in May 2002 has placed the responsibilities of government completely in the hands of the East Timorese for the first time in many generations. The violent disruptions following the 1999 referendum on independence triggered an exodus of capital and business acumen, both indigenous and foreign, and left behind a fractured economy with destroyed infrastructure, poorly functioning markets, and a collapsed financial sector. The new government faces daunting challenges in improving the living conditions of its population and charting a new path for economic growth. The Asia Foundation is working with the private sector of East Timor to identify the determinants of and impediments to economic growth, and is providing technical assistance to the government as it formulates a new legislative framework for investment activities.

The Asia Foundation has maintained a resident office and country program in Bangladesh continuously since 1954. In 2004, the Foundation celebrates its 50th Anniversary. For five decades, the Foundation has played a unique and unparalleled role...

The Asia Foundation has maintained a resident office and country program in Bangladesh continuously since 1954. In 2004, the Foundation celebrates its 50th Anniversary. For five decades, the Foundation has played a unique and unparalleled role as a responsive and trusted partner in the Asia-Pacific region and in working to advance constructive relations between the nations and peoples of the region.

Whether it is the ability of governments and non-governmental organizations to inform populations on important issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, and human trafficking, the ability of small business owners and farmers to access...

Whether it is the ability of governments and non-governmental organizations to inform populations on important issues such as HIV/AIDS, environmental protection, and human trafficking, the ability of small business owners and farmers to access essential information on markets, or the ability of citizens to make informed decisions at the ballot box and hold government accountable, the efficient flow of information is essential to a country's economic, political, and social development. In Cambodia, The Asia Foundation has worked to vastly expand access to information for citizens and local organizations, with various projects around the country.

It is estimated that one in four women in Cambodia is a victim of domestic violence. To address this serious problem, The Asia Foundation’s Global Women in Politics (GWIP) program supported street theater productions to raise awareness...

It is estimated that one in four women in Cambodia is a victim of domestic violence. To address this serious problem, The Asia Foundation’s Global Women in Politics (GWIP) program supported street theater productions to raise awareness about violence against women and women’s legal rights in Cambodia.

The Asia Foundation's Women's Empowerment program opens up economic opportunities for women. Working with local partners, our projects provide women with the full range of tools they need to be productive and profitable, including job training...

The Asia Foundation's Women's Empowerment program opens up economic opportunities for women. Working with local partners, our projects provide women with the full range of tools they need to be productive and profitable, including job training and networking, access to credit, and business management training. Our projects also educate women workers on their rights and help them mobilize to reform discriminatory laws and demand fair and equal treatment in the workplace.

The Asia Foundation is working in Afghanistan to support the development of the political
system and the capacity of local organizations and institutions to educate Afghans on key
development objectives, particularly the elections...

The Asia Foundation is working in Afghanistan to support the development of the political
system and the capacity of local organizations and institutions to educate Afghans on key
development objectives, particularly the elections for president and for the National Assembly. The Foundation supports these projects through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and other partners.

Success Story: Maya

Maya is only 12 years old. Like thousands of young girls living in rural Nepal, she was lured to the city by a trafficker with promises of a better life. Through the efforts of The Asia Foundation-supported Center...

Success Story: Maya

Maya is only 12 years old. Like thousands of young girls living in rural Nepal, she was lured to the city by a trafficker with promises of a better life. Through the efforts of The Asia Foundation-supported Center for Legal Research and Resources Development (CeLRRd), she was rescued and is back with her parents, and receiving literacy training. Her counselor at CeLRRd tells her story.

The Asia Foundation re-established an office in Kabul in February 2002 to launch new program initiatives in key areas central to the development of post-Taliban Afghanistan. Essential among these initiatives is the creation of a functional...

The Asia Foundation re-established an office in Kabul in February 2002 to launch new program initiatives in key areas central to the development of post-Taliban Afghanistan. Essential among these initiatives is the creation of a functional system of education which is vital for long-term reconstruction of the country.

It is widely recognized that when you educate a girl, her life and the lives around her are changed forever. Education can improve economic opportunities by preparing girls with the knowledge and skills they need to find employment. Attending...

It is widely recognized that when you educate a girl, her life and the lives around her are changed forever. Education can improve economic opportunities by preparing girls with the knowledge and skills they need to find employment. Attending school also allows girls more time and opportunities to learn basic life skills, often resulting in later marriages for them, and fewer, healthier, and better educated children. However, in many developing Asian countries girls are often kept out of school, and many women are unable to read and write. Women who lack education and skills become vulnerable to cycles of illiteracy, poverty, and abuse. Our programs create opportunities for women and girls to avoid this trap.

Thousands of Nepali women and girls are trafficked within and outside of Nepal
every year. Sabina was one of them. Now she is at a center run by ABC/Nepal, an
Asia Foundation supported-NGO, providing shelter and counseling services...

Thousands of Nepali women and girls are trafficked within and outside of Nepal
every year. Sabina was one of them. Now she is at a center run by ABC/Nepal, an
Asia Foundation supported-NGO, providing shelter and counseling services to
trafficking survivors. She has renewed hope for a better life. This is her story.

The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program is the only regular book donation program in Bangladesh, and has provided more than 2 million books since the country's independence in 1971. Since 1954, the program has met a vital need in a...

The Asia Foundation's Books for Asia program is the only regular book donation program in Bangladesh, and has provided more than 2 million books since the country's independence in 1971. Since 1954, the program has met a vital need in a country where poverty and illiteracy are continuing problems. The Foundation welcomes prospective, qualified organizations as recipient partners in its Books for Asia program, which distributes English-language books, journals, and software to non-profit organizations and educational institutions and grantees. The program provides high-quality educational materials to help improve human resource development and increase the country’s economic and intellectual capacity.

The Asia Foundation and its Asian partners help women develop the skills they need to run effective political campaigns and build broad-based public support. Our programs encourage women to engage in political and decisionmaking processes...

The Asia Foundation and its Asian partners help women develop the skills they need to run effective political campaigns and build broad-based public support. Our programs encourage women to engage in political and decisionmaking processes and contribute to increased government accountability to all citizens.

The Asia Foundation has worked with Asian governments and local partner organizations for over 50 years to support and strengthen legal systems so they can more effectively protect women's rights. Together with our local partners, we...

The Asia Foundation has worked with Asian governments and local partner organizations for over 50 years to support and strengthen legal systems so they can more effectively protect women's rights. Together with our local partners, we provide communities with information on their rights under national law and provide women with free legal aid to empower them with the knowledge, courage, and support to claim their rights and take control of their lives.

Human trafficking is one of the most serious human rights challenges confronting the world today. The Asia Foundation's presence across the Asia-Pacific region for more than 50 years, and its network of over 60 local counter-trafficking...

Human trafficking is one of the most serious human rights challenges confronting the world today. The Asia Foundation's presence across the Asia-Pacific region for more than 50 years, and its network of over 60 local counter-trafficking partners, gives us the unique ability to work both nationally and across borders to combat this egregious human rights violation.

For over 50 years, The Asia Foundation has been cooperating with Indonesian organizations to expand women’s rights and opportunities, and enable them to participate and be effective leaders in the political and economic life of their...

For over 50 years, The Asia Foundation has been cooperating with Indonesian organizations to expand women’s rights and opportunities, and enable them to participate and be effective leaders in the political and economic life of their society.

Gender-based violence is one of the most prevalent and destructive problems women face worldwide, often resulting in debilitating physical and psychological trauma. This serious problem is deeply-rooted in women's low status within...

Gender-based violence is one of the most prevalent and destructive problems women face worldwide, often resulting in debilitating physical and psychological trauma. This serious problem is deeply-rooted in women's low status within society—a problem The Asia Foundation works to address on many fronts. Our programs work with entire communities to change negative attitudes and social customs that condone violence against women. We also work to prevent violence and address the immediate needs of victims by supporting shelters and providing counselling, legal aid, and vocational skills to help women rebuild their lives.

The Asia Foundation is working with the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) and other Afghan partners to strengthen the ability of the Ministry to more effectively enforce the new Afghan Labor Law and to...

The Asia Foundation is working with the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) and other Afghan partners to strengthen the ability of the Ministry to more effectively enforce the new Afghan Labor Law and to increase the understanding and awareness of the new law and other internationally recognized core labor standards among members of the judiciary, workers, employers, and the general public of Afghanistan.

For more than 20 years, The Asia Foundation has worked to empower Nepali women. Nepal is one of the least-developed countries in the world and experiences high rates of poverty, exacerbating the cultural disadvantages faced by Nepali...

For more than 20 years, The Asia Foundation has worked to empower Nepali women. Nepal is one of the least-developed countries in the world and experiences high rates of poverty, exacerbating the cultural disadvantages faced by Nepali women. To increase women’s opportunities and improve their status, the Foundation has protected women’s legal rights and reformed discriminatory laws and policies; provided educational scholarships to disadvantaged girls; supported vocational training and job placement for young women at-risk of trafficking and trafficking survivors; and trained women to run for elected office to ensure their needs are reflected in public decisionmaking.

The Asia Foundation assists a network of community radio presenters in the conflict-torn south to create an interactive radio script that provides listeners with the knowledge and skills they need to actively participate in democratic...

The Asia Foundation assists a network of community radio presenters in the conflict-torn south to create an interactive radio script that provides listeners with the knowledge and skills they need to actively participate in democratic processes.