The Asia Foundation

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 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.

The Asia Foundation commissioned a study in August 2010 to examine the dynamics of gender and conflict in Mindanao. Leslie Dwyer and Rufa Guiam conducted field-based research and a literature review to identify challenges and opportunities for...

The Asia Foundation commissioned a study in August 2010 to examine the dynamics of gender and conflict in Mindanao. Leslie Dwyer and Rufa Guiam conducted field-based research and a literature review to identify challenges and opportunities for women and men in community and national peacebuilding. Their report argues that programming is more effective when comprehensive gender analysis is utilized, and that such an approach can be transformative in societies trying to emerge from conflict.

The Asia Foundation is committed to advancing women's rights and enhancing the role of women in Indonesia's democratic and economic development. Drawing on nearly 55 years of experience in Indonesia and across Asia, the Foundation partners...

The Asia Foundation is committed to advancing women's rights and enhancing the role of women in Indonesia's democratic and economic development. Drawing on nearly 55 years of experience in Indonesia and across Asia, the Foundation partners with both civil society and government to support innovative initiatives that increase women's participation in the policy-making process; increase the representation of women in legislatures; push for greater budget transparency and equitable budget allocations; raise awareness of gender issues; and secure women's rights.

The Asia Foundation is committed to advancing women's rights and enhancing the role of women in Indonesia's democratic and economic development. Drawing on nearly 55 years of experience in Indonesia and across Asia, the Foundation partners...

The Asia Foundation is committed to advancing women's rights and enhancing the role of women in Indonesia's democratic and economic development. Drawing on nearly 55 years of experience in Indonesia and across Asia, the Foundation partners with both civil society and government to support innovative initiatives that increase women's participation in the policy-making process; increase the representation of women in legislatures; push for greater budget transparency and equitable budget allocations; raise awareness of gender issues; and secure women's rights.

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.

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.

On March 26-28, 2007 the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, the Asia Foundation and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), with support from USAID and the U.S. Department of State, organized a national forum on the “Palermo...

On March 26-28, 2007 the Ministry of Justice and Home Affairs, the Asia Foundation and the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), with support from USAID and the U.S. Department of State, organized a national forum on the “Palermo Convention and Domestic Legislation” for government, law enforcement, NGOs and international organizations. More than 150 people participated in the three-day conference, the purpose of which was to combat trafficking in persons by building support for ratification of the Palermo Protocol and amendments of the Criminal and Criminal Procedures codes during the spring session of parliament.

Everyday across Asia men, women, and children are deceived, lured across borders and exploited. Mongolia is not immune to this crime. Cases have been recorded, but the scope and number of Mongolian victims is unknown. A partnership between...

Everyday across Asia men, women, and children are deceived, lured across borders and exploited. Mongolia is not immune to this crime. Cases have been recorded, but the scope and number of Mongolian victims is unknown. A partnership between government, civil society organizations and law enforcement officials is forming to prevent and prosecute trafficking, and to protect victims. On April 26 and 27, The Asia Foundation and USAID’s regional trafficking advisor organized a seminar to strengthen the capacity of government, civil society and police to counter trafficking, and improve prevention, protection and prosecution under Mongolian and international law.

In Mongolian-

Everyday across Asia men, women, and children are deceived, lured across borders and exploited. Mongolia is not immune to this crime. Cases have been recorded, but the scope and number of Mongolian victims is unknown. A...

In Mongolian-

Everyday across Asia men, women, and children are deceived, lured across borders and exploited. Mongolia is not immune to this crime. Cases have been recorded, but the scope and number of Mongolian victims is unknown. A partnership between government, civil society organizations and law enforcement officials is forming to prevent and prosecute trafficking, and to protect victims. On April 26 and 27, The Asia Foundation and USAID’s regional trafficking advisor organized a seminar to strengthen the capacity of government, civil society and police to counter trafficking, and improve prevention, protection and prosecution under Mongolian and international law.

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.

This report examines the incidence of prostitution and human trafficking at mine sites across Mongolia. It includes surveys with 300 community members at eight sites, both soum and bagh centers and mine sites, as well as surveys of 16 sex...

This report examines the incidence of prostitution and human trafficking at mine sites across Mongolia. It includes surveys with 300 community members at eight sites, both soum and bagh centers and mine sites, as well as surveys of 16 sex workers at six mine sites. Interviews were conducted from July 20 to July 30, 2008 by teams organized by the Population Teaching and Research Center (PTRC) under the direction of Dr. Enkhtsetseg Byambaa with funding from The Asia Foundation.

Mongolian Version: his report examines the incidence of prostitution and human trafficking at mine sites across Mongolia. It includes surveys with 300 community members at eight sites, both soum and bagh centers and mine sites, as well as...

Mongolian Version: his report examines the incidence of prostitution and human trafficking at mine sites across Mongolia. It includes surveys with 300 community members at eight sites, both soum and bagh centers and mine sites, as well as surveys of 16 sex workers at six mine sites.
Interviews were conducted from July 20 to July 30, 2008 by teams organized by the Population Teaching and Research Center (PTRC) under the direction of Dr. Enkhtsetseg Byambaa with funding from The Asia Foundation.

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.

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.

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.

(In Vietnamese) The legal handbook is part of an Asia Foundation project to enhance the efforts of CSOs to deliver social services to vulnerable populations affected by the global economic crisis. This handbook provides migrant workers with...

(In Vietnamese) The legal handbook is part of an Asia Foundation project to enhance the efforts of CSOs to deliver social services to vulnerable populations affected by the global economic crisis. This handbook provides migrant workers with information on their rights, procedures, and contacts for support.

Hanoi, November 2011

A brief report on the standards in provision of services to victims of human trafficking. These draft Minimum Standards are part of the Preventing Human Trafficking and Protecting Victims in The Mekong...

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 September 2006, The Asia Foundation (TAF) Mongolia launched a major research effort to assess the impacts of its partner and grantee, the Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA). The research seeks to evaluate whether the...

In September 2006, The Asia Foundation (TAF) Mongolia launched a major research effort to assess the impacts of its partner and grantee, the Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA). The research seeks to evaluate whether the Association is reaching its objectives in empowering women through financial independence and increased household income, and it is a monitoring and evaluation tool that will be adopted by the MWFA.

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.

The recent TAF/GEC survey confirmed that a growing number of low-income or unemployed girls between 19 – 35 years old are the most vulnerable to human trafficking. Vulnerability is defined as a desire to work or study abroad, combined...

The recent TAF/GEC survey confirmed that a growing number of low-income or unemployed girls between 19 – 35 years old are the most vulnerable to human trafficking. Vulnerability is defined as a desire to work or study abroad, combined with a low standard of living and willingness to accept offers of work and study from individuals.

This study is a collaborative effort between The Asia Foundation (Kathmandu) and the Horizons Project of the Population Council (New Delhi). The objectives and related research questions of the study are: To assess the policy context that...

This study is a collaborative effort between The Asia Foundation (Kathmandu) and the Horizons Project of the Population Council (New Delhi). The objectives and related research questions of the study are: To assess the policy context that underpins intervention activities for the prevention of trafficking and the care and support of trafficked persons; To document and analyze current intervention models for the  prevention of trafficking, and the care and support of trafficked persons; To assess the features and determinants of vulnerability of girls and women to trafficking, as part of the larger problems of gender-based violence, migration for economic reasons and labor exploitation; To conceptualize the links between trafficking and HIV/AIDS; To recommend approaches to strengthen interventions to prevent trafficking and provide care and support to trafficked persons, and propose supporting rese arch and evaluation activities.