The Asia Foundation

This report looks back at a decade of trafficking-related research in Cambodia. It systematically reviews what the available information can—and cannot—tell us about the patterns, extent and consequences of trafficking in Cambodia...

This report looks back at a decade of trafficking-related research in Cambodia. It systematically reviews what the available information can—and cannot—tell us about the patterns, extent and consequences of trafficking in Cambodia (and in relation to its neighboring countries). This also involves a critical assessment of the major approaches, perspectives and debates that have guided the research; the ways in which the studies were conducted; and the extent to which specific research findings can be generalized to Cambodia as a whole, taking into account the limits of the targeted groups, sectors and locations.

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.

(In Vietnamese) Between 2010 and 2011, the Foundation supported An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho provinces to integrate safe migration education into school curriculums and community activities. Activities included communication campaigns to...

(In Vietnamese) Between 2010 and 2011, the Foundation supported An Giang, Dong Thap, and Can Tho provinces to integrate safe migration education into school curriculums and community activities. Activities included communication campaigns to raise public awareness of safe migration. Thousands of students and young people sent in writings, songs, poems, drawings, and photos on safe migration and human trafficking. This book is a collection of the best pieces from the campaign.

In this issue: "Books for Asia Hosts Vartan Gregorian in NYC, Launches Tech Start-up Fund," "Skoll Global Threats Fund to Help Address Water Sharing in Asia," "Citi's Ida Liu to Chair Lotus Awards 2012," "Asia Foundation Announces Five New...

In this issue: "Books for Asia Hosts Vartan Gregorian in NYC, Launches Tech Start-up Fund," "Skoll Global Threats Fund to Help Address Water Sharing in Asia," "Citi's Ida Liu to Chair Lotus Awards 2012," "Asia Foundation Announces Five New Trustees," "Amb. Verveer Meets Experts from Asia Foundation Panel on Women's Changing Roles in Asia," "Briefly Noted," "Multimedia," "Ashraf Ghani Briefs on Afghan Transition 2014," "Henry Luce Foundation Renews China Young Diplomats Program."

In this issue: "National Geographic and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi Honored at Lotus Awards," "Visionary NGO Leader Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of BRAC is Asia Foundation Fellow," "Asia Foundation at Google's Big Tent on Open Data and Disaster Preparedness,"...

In this issue: "National Geographic and Dr. Sakena Yacoobi Honored at Lotus Awards," "Visionary NGO Leader Sir Fazle Hasan Abed of BRAC is Asia Foundation Fellow," "Asia Foundation at Google's Big Tent on Open Data and Disaster Preparedness," "Renowned Philanthropist Dr. Chong-Moon Lee Launches New Projects to Combat Human Trafficking," "Luce Scholars Report for Assignments in Asia," "Multimedia," "Briefly Noted," "Rockefeller Foundation Supports Post-Flood Recovery and Environment Initiative in Thailand."

The Asia Foundation has engaged in a wide range of programs to help Afghan women and
girls expand their opportunities and strengthen their rights. These initiatives provide women
and girls with the skills, tools, awareness, and...

The Asia Foundation has engaged in a wide range of programs to help Afghan women and
girls expand their opportunities and strengthen their rights. These initiatives provide women
and girls with the skills, tools, awareness, and knowledge they need to improve their lives. The
Foundation has ensured the active participation of women in Afghanistan’s political process
through education and technical support to the Afghan elections process. These initiatives began in 2002 when the Foundation re-established its office in Kabul, and built upon the Foundation’s history of working with Afghan educational institutions for women since 1954.

Across Asia, there is a growing commitment to
democratic principles of governance and citizen
participation. However, in many Asian countries,
women still face serious cultural, social, and legal
barriers that constrain...

Across Asia, there is a growing commitment to
democratic principles of governance and citizen
participation. However, in many Asian countries,
women still face serious cultural, social, and legal
barriers that constrain their full participation in
democratic processes. The Asia Foundation works
with local partners across the Asia-Pacific region
to increase the number of women voting; improve
the quality of women’s votes; encourage that elections
are free and fair and ensure that women’s
votes are counted; and help women to enter politics
and become candidates and leaders themselves.

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 supported the establishment and construction of the first women’s shelter in the Lao PDR—opening in January 2006—to serve the needs of victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. The establishment...

The Asia Foundation supported the establishment and construction of the first women’s shelter in the Lao PDR—opening in January 2006—to serve the needs of victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. The establishment of the shelter, a direct result of growing awareness of these problems in Laos and the passage of the 2004 Development and Protection of Women Act, was made possible by the dedicated work of the Lao Women’s Union (LWU), which has been supported by the Foundation for more than a decade.

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.

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 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.

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’s Women’s Empowerment Program is committed to improving the lives and livelihood of women throughout Pakistan. With over 54 years of experience on-the-ground in Pakistan, our programs include initiatives to...

The Asia Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment Program is committed to improving the lives and livelihood of women throughout Pakistan. With over 54 years of experience on-the-ground in Pakistan, our programs include initiatives to encourage women to vote, raise women’s awareness of their rights, and give women the skills to earn an income. The Asia Foundation has just completed a very successful 18-month long program to empower impoverished women in eight provinces in Pakistan. The goal of the project was to train women to use new technologies and understand markets so that they could become successful as entrepreneurs.

The women of Afghanistan face a number of daunting social and humanitarian challenges. Two of the most pressing are the inability to participate fully in all aspects of Afghan society and the lack of access to education. The Asia...

The women of Afghanistan face a number of daunting social and humanitarian challenges. Two of the most pressing are the inability to participate fully in all aspects of Afghan society and the lack of access to education. The Asia Foundation supports the Ministry of Women’s Affairs Initiative to Support Policy and Advocacy (MISPA). MISPA is committed to strengthening the Ministry’s skills in leadership, communication, outreach, and networking among staff at the national level as well at the provincial level through the 34 local offices.

In Mongolia, trafficking in persons for commercial and sexual exploitation is on the rise, though relatively few cases have been tried, and fewer perpetrators convicted. Law enforcement and judicial officials face daunting challenges in...

In Mongolia, trafficking in persons for commercial and sexual exploitation is on the rise, though relatively few cases have been tried, and fewer perpetrators convicted. Law enforcement and judicial officials face daunting challenges in their efforts to investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate human trafficking cases. Though Mongolian anti-trafficking statutes were significantly strengthened in early 2008, weaknesses remain in the interpretation and implementation of the legal code.