Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women

Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women is a leading organization in the Asia-Pacific region, dedicated to advancing women's rights and gender equality through research, advocacy, and capacity-building. Founded in 1988 by a group of feminist activists, including Chandra Mohanty and Kumari Jayawardene, the centre has established itself as a key player in promoting women's empowerment and social justice in countries such as China, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The centre's work is guided by the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The centre has collaborated with organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to advance its mission.

● Introduction

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has a strong network of partners and collaborators across the Asia-Pacific region, including Australia, Japan, and South Korea. The centre's work focuses on issues such as violence against women, reproductive health and rights, and women's economic empowerment, with a particular emphasis on the needs and concerns of marginalized communities, including indigenous women and women with disabilities. The centre has worked closely with organizations such as the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), the Global Fund for Women (GFW), and the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) to promote gender equality and social justice. The centre's research and advocacy efforts have informed policies and programs at the national and regional levels, including the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

● History

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women was established in 1988 in response to the growing need for a regional organization that could provide research, training, and advocacy support to women's organizations and feminist movements in the Asia-Pacific region. The centre's founders, including Malaysian feminist Irene Fernandez and Indian activist Madhu Kishwar, were instrumental in shaping the centre's mission and vision, which emphasizes the importance of women's empowerment and gender equality in achieving sustainable development and human rights. The centre has a long history of collaboration with international organizations, including the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the World Bank, and the International Labour Organization (ILO). The centre has also worked with regional organizations, such as the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) and the University of the Philippines (UP), to promote gender mainstreaming and women's leadership.

● Objectives_and_Activities

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women has several key objectives, including promoting gender equality and women's empowerment through research, advocacy, and capacity-building. The centre's activities include conducting research on issues such as violence against women and women's economic empowerment, providing training and technical assistance to women's organizations and government agencies, and advocating for policies and programs that promote gender equality and social justice. The centre has worked with organizations such as the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), and the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) to address issues such as human trafficking and reproductive health and rights. The centre has also collaborated with universities and research institutions, including the University of Melbourne and the National University of Singapore (NUS), to promote gender studies and feminist research.

● Programs_and_Initiatives

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women has several programs and initiatives that focus on issues such as women's economic empowerment, reproductive health and rights, and violence against women. The centre's programs include the Women's Economic Empowerment Program, which provides training and support to women entrepreneurs and small business owners, and the Reproductive Health and Rights Program, which advocates for access to safe abortion and comprehensive sexuality education. The centre has also initiated the Violence Against Women Program, which provides support to survivors of violence and advocates for policies and programs that prevent and respond to violence against women. The centre has worked with organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation to support its programs and initiatives. The centre has also collaborated with government agencies, including the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD) in Malaysia and the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD) in India.

● Impact_and_Achievements

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women has had a significant impact on promoting gender equality and women's empowerment in the Asia-Pacific region. The centre's research and advocacy efforts have informed policies and programs at the national and regional levels, including the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) and the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). The centre's programs and initiatives have also provided support to thousands of women and girls across the region, including survivors of violence and women with disabilities. The centre has received recognition and awards for its work, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Equator Prize and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Gender Equality Award. The centre has also been recognized by organizations such as the International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC) and the Global Fund for Women (GFW) for its contributions to promoting gender equality and social justice.

● Organization_and_Partnerships

The Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women is a non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors comprising women's rights activists and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region. The centre has a strong network of partners and collaborators, including women's organizations, government agencies, and international organizations. The centre has worked with organizations such as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), the World Bank, and the International Labour Organization (ILO) to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. The centre has also collaborated with regional organizations, including the ASEAN Secretariat and the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), to promote gender mainstreaming and women's leadership. The centre's partnerships have enabled it to leverage resources and expertise to advance its mission and vision, and to promote gender equality and social justice in the Asia-Pacific region. Category:Women's organizations