The Asia Foundation

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.

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.

The Asia Foundation has had a dedicated program to increasing women’s participation in democratic processes and public decisionmaking across the Asia-Pacific region since 1992. The Foundation’s commitment to advancing women’s...

The Asia Foundation has had a dedicated program to increasing women’s participation in democratic processes and public decisionmaking across the Asia-Pacific region since 1992. The Foundation’s commitment to advancing women’s political participation is based on the recognition that broad citizen participation is not only an important end in itself, but it is also the key to addressing the immediate, practical, and longterm strategic needs of women. Ultimately, increasing women’s political participation is an effective means for promoting more open, democratic societies in which women are full participants and beneficiaries of national development. Working with and through local partner organizations in 21 countries throughout Asia, the Foundation serves as a regional resource providing technical expertise, training, and financial support.

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.

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.

In 2010, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Zorig Foundation, launched a scholarship program funded by the Shirin Pandju Merali Foundation. The program supports university education for 120 female students who were unable to continue...

In 2010, The Asia Foundation, in partnership with the Zorig Foundation, launched a scholarship program funded by the Shirin Pandju Merali Foundation. The program supports university education for 120 female students who were unable to continue their education due to financial constraints.

The Asia Foundation has been at the forefront of addressing human trafficking issues in Mongolia since 2002. In May 2009, the Foundation was awarded a two-year program to reduce and deter human trafficking, from and within Mongolia, through...

The Asia Foundation has been at the forefront of addressing human trafficking issues in Mongolia since 2002. In May 2009, the Foundation was awarded a two-year program to reduce and deter human trafficking, from and within Mongolia, through improved investigation, prosecution, and prevention.

In this issue: "Six Days in Afghanistan," "Lotus Circle Honors Dr. David Ho for Work in Women's Health," "New Book on Economic Governance," "Future Leaders Experience Asia," "Asia Foundation President Speaks in Sydney," "South Korea's Green...

In this issue: "Six Days in Afghanistan," "Lotus Circle Honors Dr. David Ho for Work in Women's Health," "New Book on Economic Governance," "Future Leaders Experience Asia," "Asia Foundation President Speaks in Sydney," "South Korea's Green Growth," "David Arnold Meets UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon," "Featured Multimedia," and "Sri Lanka Dialogue Explores Aid Between Asian Nations."

A look at the legal framework for labor migration of Cambodian women to Malaysia (for domestic work) and Cambodian men to Thailand (to work in agribusiness); and an analysis of the rules that govern regular migration while identifying...

A look at the legal framework for labor migration of Cambodian women to Malaysia (for domestic work) and Cambodian men to Thailand (to work in agribusiness); and an analysis of the rules that govern regular migration while identifying legislation that can be employed to protect those who become victims during irregular migration and that can be used against those who perpetrate and profit from it.

Khmer-language version of a report looking at the legal framework for labor migration of Cambodian women to Malaysia (for domestic work) and Cambodian men to Thailand (to work in agribusiness); and an analysis of the rules that govern regular...

Khmer-language version of a report looking at the legal framework for labor migration of Cambodian women to Malaysia (for domestic work) and Cambodian men to Thailand (to work in agribusiness); and an analysis of the rules that govern regular migration while identifying legislation that can be employed to protect those who become victims during irregular migration and that can be used against those who perpetrate and profit from it.

Since it reopened its office in Afghanistan in 2002, The Asia Foundation has established strong links with the formal education system, and also supports civil society organizations to provide remedial, vocational, and other non-formal...

Since it reopened its office in Afghanistan in 2002, The Asia Foundation has established strong links with the formal education system, and also supports civil society organizations to provide remedial, vocational, and other non-formal education and training for women and girls. The Foundation works both to increase girls' access to education as well as to improve the quality of education offered. During the years of conflict, the Foundation supported education for Afghan girls and women living in refugee camps in Pakistan. During the Taliban years, when girls were banned from school, the Foundation supported PARSA, a local Kabul-based organization that ran home schools for girls.

Since it reopened its office in Afghanistan in 2002, The Asia Foundation has established strong links with the formal education system, and also supports civil society organizations to provide remedial, vocational, and other non-formal...

Since it reopened its office in Afghanistan in 2002, The Asia Foundation has established strong links with the formal education system, and also supports civil society organizations to provide remedial, vocational, and other non-formal education and training for women and girls. The Foundation works both to increase girls' access to education as well as to improve the quality of education offered. During the years of conflict, the Foundation supported education for Afghan girls and women living in refugee camps in Pakistan. During the Taliban years, when girls were banned from school, the Foundation supported PARSA, a local Kabul-based organization that ran home schools for girls.

Worldwide, Gender Based Violence (GBV) is the leading cause of death of women between the ages of 19 and 44 – more than war, cancer, or car accidents. Apart from the individual suffering, it carries high a cost for society and is a major...

Worldwide, Gender Based Violence (GBV) is the leading cause of death of women between the ages of 19 and 44 – more than war, cancer, or car accidents. Apart from the individual suffering, it carries high a cost for society and is a major obstacle to development. This mapping is expected to inform the Gender Based Violence Complaints Handling and Monitoring Unit set up under the Office of the Prime Minister, government ministries, organizations working in the field of GBV, and various other stakeholders on the activities being carried out on GBV around the country and the key actors involved. Thus, this preliminary mapping is expected to set the groundwork for more extensive research to ensure that overlapping and duplication is considerably avoided and to contribute towards the designing of a holistic plan and support for effectively addressing GBV in Nepal.

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts...

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts in Indonesia are meant to uphold. In recent years, there has been a growing movement led by religious court judges intent on improving gender equality. The Asia Foundation is responding to this demand through partnerships with state and civil society actors to provide religious judges with the knowledge and resources they need to ensure gender equality in their court decisions.

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts...

Religious courts in Indonesia preside over family law cases such as inheritance, marriage, divorce, child support, and child custody. Gender bias has been a significant challenge to the principles of fairness and justice that religious courts in Indonesia are meant to uphold. In recent years, there has been a growing movement led by religious court judges intent on improving gender equality. The Asia Foundation is responding to this demand through partnerships with state and civil society actors to provide religious judges with the knowledge and resources they need to ensure gender equality in their court decisions.

The Asia Foundation collaborated with a team of Stanford graduate students to conduct a mapping study of current anti-human trafficking efforts in India. This study outlines the social and political context of human trafficking in India,...

The Asia Foundation collaborated with a team of Stanford graduate students to conduct a mapping study of current anti-human trafficking efforts in India. This study outlines the social and political context of human trafficking in India, evaluates the current NGO, donor, and government efforts to fight trafficking, and recommends promising interventions based on current gaps and 'best practice' approaches.

The Asia Foundation collaborated with a team of Stanford graduate students to conduct a mapping study of current anti-human trafficking efforts in India. This document contains research that was conducted as background for the report,...

The Asia Foundation collaborated with a team of Stanford graduate students to conduct a mapping study of current anti-human trafficking efforts in India. This document contains research that was conducted as background for the report, including analysis of the legal framework, profiles of states included in the study, and an overview of different types of counter-trafficking interventions.