In Asia: Weekly Insight and Features from Asia

The UN estimates that the Asia-Pacific economy would earn $89 billion every year if women were able to achieve their full economic potential. Economically empowering women builds better educated, healthier families and stronger communities, and decreases poverty.

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In June 2012, a team of Afghan pollsters – both men and women – fanned out across the country, often traveling long distances in difficult conditions, to gather first-hand opinions from nearly 6,300 Afghan citizens in all 34 provinces on a range of pressing topics…

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This past week, Asia Foundation President David D. Arnold led an official delegation to Burma (also known as Myanmar). During this historic visit, President Arnold called on the President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw on October 23…

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Approximately 35 percent of Cambodians live on less than a dollar a day, experiencing severe poverty. In cities and small towns, young people are vulnerable to false promises of jobs, or of marriage – and are trafficked into exploitative situations.

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In Bangladesh, the garment industry drives the country’s economic growth, contributing to an impressive 6 percent growth rate for nearly a decade. Bangladesh is now one of the world’s leading clothing exporters, second only to China…

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Nearly 1,500 participants from local communities, government agencies, and the armed forces gathered in late May 2012 for a Peace Festival in Thailand’s conflict-affected Deep South. The Peace Festival is the culmination…

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Afghan women and girls have fought hard to achieve advances in education, political participation, and economic independence. Now, a decade after Taliban rule kept girls home, nearly 3 million girls attend school, compared to just 5,000 in 2001…

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As Australia strives to close development gaps in places most affected by poverty, conflict, and instability, the Asia-Pacific region remains its highest priority area of focus. On May 29, 2012, the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and The Asia Foundation…

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For most Sri Lankans, resolving disputes through the nation’s beleaguered formal courts is not an option. Despite efforts to improve efficiency, courts are weighed down by excessive case loads and limited capacity, and high litigation costs make access to courts prohibitive for most.

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As Sri Lanka emerges from a decades-long civil war, employment opportunities are rapidly shifting from the public to the private and technology sectors, where speaking English is required. But, for many Sri Lankans living in impoverished outskirts or the war-torn North, English-language books are a luxury and remain out of reach.

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