The Asia Foundation

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.

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.

This report entitled "Human Trafficking in Mongolia: Risks, Vulnerability and Trauma" presents the results of a survey conducted by the Mongolian Gender Equality Center (GEC) with financial and technical support from The Asia Foundation, and...

This report entitled "Human Trafficking in Mongolia: Risks, Vulnerability and Trauma" presents the results of a survey conducted by the Mongolian Gender Equality Center (GEC) with financial and technical support from The Asia Foundation, and which was made possible by a grant from the United States Department of State. The nationwide survey assessed the scope and incidence of human trafficking within, through, and from Mongolia. The survey was conducted from June - August 2006 in provincial centers and eleven corresponding villages across the country. In addition, the survey examined eight Ulaanbaatar districts, and three of the main border points: Bulgan village in Khovd, Khavirga village in Dornod, and Zamiin-Uud village in Dornogobi.

People are bought and sold as commodities and held in bondage all around the world today. Human trafficking is the forced movement of persons across international borders for the purpose of forced prostitution and labor, and this crime is...

People are bought and sold as commodities and held in bondage all around the world today. Human trafficking is the forced movement of persons across international borders for the purpose of forced prostitution and labor, and this crime is increasing worldwide and in Mongolia. The numbers of trafficked victims is growing rapidly in Mongolia: Two victims were reported in 2000; 30 – 40 known victims have been reported in the first half of 2006. Disadvantaged by poor economic conditions, most of these Mongolian women are lured and deceived by false newspaper advertisements that promise lucrative jobs abroad and educational scholarships in foreign countries.

Mongolian version

People are bought and sold as commodities and held in bondage all around the world today. Human trafficking is the forced movement of persons across international borders for the purpose of forced prostitution and...

Mongolian version

People are bought and sold as commodities and held in bondage all around the world today. Human trafficking is the forced movement of persons across international borders for the purpose of forced prostitution and labor, and this crime is increasing worldwide and in Mongolia. The numbers of trafficked victims is growing rapidly in Mongolia: Two victims were reported in 2000; 30 – 40 known victims have been reported in the first half of 2006. Disadvantaged by poor economic conditions, most of these Mongolian women are lured and deceived by false newspaper advertisements that promise lucrative jobs abroad and educational scholarships in foreign countries.

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.

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.

An estimated 600,000-800,000 women, and children are trafficked across international borders each year, approximately 80 percent are young women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors. Everyday across Asia men, women, and children are...

An estimated 600,000-800,000 women, and children are trafficked across international borders each year, approximately 80 percent are young women and girls, and up to 50 percent are minors. Everyday across Asia men, women, and children are deceived, lured across borders and exploited. Mongolia is not immune to this crime. The Asia Foundation and its newest partner, the 55,000 member strong, Mongolian Students’ Union (MSU) launched a major campaign to prevent trafficking in May.

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: "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."

In this issue: "Asia Foundation Hosts Australia's Foreign Minister in San Francisco," "Economist Cheng Siwei Is Asia Foundation Chang-Lin Tien Fellow, "David D. Arnold at The Economist's Banyan Conference," "2011 Survey of the Afghan People...

In this issue: "Asia Foundation Hosts Australia's Foreign Minister in San Francisco," "Economist Cheng Siwei Is Asia Foundation Chang-Lin Tien Fellow, "David D. Arnold at The Economist's Banyan Conference," "2011 Survey of the Afghan People Released in Kabul, Washington, New York, and London," "APEC 2011: Unleashing Women's Entrepreneurship in Asia," "Briefly Noted," "Featured Multimedia," "Remembering Robert Scalapino," and "A Luce Scholar Reconnects as Program Wraps Up 37th Year."

The Asia Foundation provided a grant to the Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA) which now trains 500 poor households every year to raise vegetables and poultry, and thereby generate income. This effort is intended to reduce...

The Asia Foundation provided a grant to the Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA) which now trains 500 poor households every year to raise vegetables and poultry, and thereby generate income. This effort is intended to reduce poverty, inspire micro-entrepreneurship, build stronger communities and neighbourhoods, and discourage social ills such as alcoholism, and domestic violence against women and children.

The Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, established in 1999. The association’s main activities are to train single-parent women-headed households to grow and sell organic...

The Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, established in 1999. The association’s main activities are to train single-parent women-headed households to grow and sell organic vegetables and poultry, and thereby increase their income.

In 2006 and 2007, The Asia Foundation (TAF) provided grants to the MWFA as part of its program promoting economic development and fighting against domestic violence. This report is an evaluation and assessment of the benefits and impacts of the project. 

Mongolian version

The Asia Foundation provided a grant to the Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA) which now trains 500 poor households every year to raise vegetables and poultry, and thereby generate income. This effort...

Mongolian version

The Asia Foundation provided a grant to the Mongolian Women Farmers’ Association (MWFA) which now trains 500 poor households every year to raise vegetables and poultry, and thereby generate income. This effort is intended to reduce poverty, inspire micro-entrepreneurship, build stronger communities and neighbourhoods, and discourage social ills such as alcoholism, and domestic violence against women and children.

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.

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 objective of this report is to “document and analyze current intervention models for the prevention of trafficking and the care and support of trafficked persons in Nepal. This research aims to understand current perceptions of...

The objective of this report is to “document and analyze current intervention models for the prevention of trafficking and the care and support of trafficked persons in Nepal. This research aims to understand current perceptions of trafficking and identify the assumptions that explicitly or implicitly inform intervention approaches. A comparative analysis of different intervention approaches (including their content and process) was made using a human rights framework. Issues of feasibility, coverage, effectiveness and sustainability were considered. Finally, lessons learned are highlighted.

This study assesses Nepal’s policies and laws that address the trafficking of women and children in terms of effectiveness, human rights, international obligations, and the relationship between trafficking and HIV. Through both formal...

This study assesses Nepal’s policies and laws that address the trafficking of women and children in terms of effectiveness, human rights, international obligations, and the relationship between trafficking and HIV. Through both formal and informal methods utilizing primary and secondary data, the study reviewed policies and laws related to trafficking, HIV/AIDS, labor and foreign employment, foreign travel and migration, gender, and children’s issues. The study evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of the Nepal’s policies and laws and offers recommendations for improving them.

(In Vietnamese) Training guides for school teachers, Community Learning Centers' instructors and university professors to integrate safe migration education in prevention of human trafficking into their teaching curriculums. The guides provide...

(In Vietnamese) Training guides for school teachers, Community Learning Centers' instructors and university professors to integrate safe migration education in prevention of human trafficking into their teaching curriculums. The guides provide information on human trafficking and safe migration and sample modules for delivering that knowledge to young people and students.

(In Vietnamese) Training guides for school teachers, Community Learning Centers' instructors and university professors to integrate safe migration education in prevention of human trafficking into their teaching curriculums. The guides provide...

(In Vietnamese) Training guides for school teachers, Community Learning Centers' instructors and university professors to integrate safe migration education in prevention of human trafficking into their teaching curriculums. The guides provide information on human trafficking and safe migration and sample modules for delivering that knowledge to young people and students.

(In Vietnamese) Training guides for school teachers, Community Learning Centers' instructors and university professors to integrate safe migration education in prevention of human trafficking into their teaching curriculums. The guides provide...

(In Vietnamese) Training guides for school teachers, Community Learning Centers' instructors and university professors to integrate safe migration education in prevention of human trafficking into their teaching curriculums. The guides provide information on human trafficking and safe migration and sample modules for delivering that knowledge to young people and students.

Vietnamese version of press release announcing a new grant of $500,000 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a two-year project to strengthen the Government of Vietnam's ongoing anti-trafficking efforts in the...

Vietnamese version of press release announcing a new grant of $500,000 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for a two-year project to strengthen the Government of Vietnam's ongoing anti-trafficking efforts in the Mekong Delta. The new project will reach 40,000 students through education and training.

Hanoi, November 2011

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has been working with The Asia Foundation to develop a set of National Minimum Standards on Victim Support as well as a Manual for Social Workers and...

Hanoi, November 2011

The Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has been working with The Asia Foundation to develop a set of National Minimum Standards on Victim Support as well as a Manual for Social Workers and Staff Providing Services for Victims of Human Trafficking. This documents has been developed with the following objectives:

i) To provide the best services and support for returnees to reintegrate into the community,

ii) to ensure that minimum standards of service provision are met;

iii) to provide information, knowledge, and basic skills for social workers and staff who support victims.