Related Posts: Women’s Empowerment
A Conversation with Lotus Circle Founding Member Masako Shinn
June 5, 2013
The Asia Foundation’s third annual Lotus Leadership Awards luncheon takes place this week on June 6 at New York’s Boathouse in Central Park, and In Asia sat down with Lotus Circle founding member and advisor, Masako Shinn, who joined the Foundation’s board in 2012
Topics: International Development | Lotus Circle | Trafficking | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Afghanistan | Burma / Myanmar | Cambodia | Japan | Laos | Nepal | Pakistan
Nandita Baruah Examines Realities & New Approaches to Combating Human Trafficking
June 5, 2013
Ahead of The Asia Foundation’s third annual Lotus Leadership Awards luncheon on June 6 in New York, which highlights work to end human trafficking in Asia, In Asia editor Alma Freeman caught up with counter-trafficking expert Nandita Baruah from her office in Nepal.
Topics: Corruption | Economic Development | Governance | International Development | Lotus Circle | Trafficking | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Bangladesh | Cambodia | India | Nepal
Migration Puts Cambodia’s Youth in Danger
June 5, 2013
Cambodian migrant workers sent home $256 million in remittances in 2012, 1.8 percent of the country’s GDP and the fourth highest percentage in Southeast Asia, according to a new report from the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Topics: Economic Development | Governance | Law | Lotus Circle | Trafficking | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
The Invisible Girl
June 5, 2013
Fourteen million girls under the age of 18 are married every year – one every three seconds. The rates are highest in South Asia, where 46 percent of girls marry before they reach 18. Child marriage can be one of the most devastating forms of violence and discrimination against women.
Topics: Education | Lotus Circle | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Malaysia
Lotus Circle Honors Silicon Valley Entrepreneur Mr. Chong-Moon Lee
June 5, 2013
Silicon Valley entrepreneur Mr. Chong-Moon Lee was awarded the Lotus Leadership Award at the annual luncheon June 6 in New York. Mr. Lee, who is being honored for his commitment to improving the lives of women and girls in Asia, just announced a major new multi-country initiative to combat trafficking in Myanmar/Burma, Cambodia, and Laos. [...]
Topics: Lotus Circle | Trafficking | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Burma / Myanmar | Cambodia | Laos
3rd Annual Lotus Leadership Awards Luncheon in New York City
May 29, 2013
On June 6, The Asia Foundation’s Lotus Circle will recognize outstanding individuals and organizations making major contributions to the well-being of women and their communities in Asia at the 3rd Annual Lotus Leadership Awards Luncheon in New York City. Awardees this year are the Honorable Sapana Pradhan Malla and Mr. Chong-Moon Lee, both pioneers in [...]
Topics: Lotus Circle | Trafficking | Women's Empowerment
Pakistan’s Elections Give Grounds for Hope
May 15, 2013
These were the elections which many did not expect to see in Pakistan. Despite persistent and widespread rumors right up until the actual day of elections that they would be cancelled or postponed, Pakistan’s General Elections took place as scheduled on May 11. Around 50 million citizens took part in this historical event…
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Corruption | Elections | Governance | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Pakistan
The Most Dangerous Job in Afghanistan?
April 10, 2013
When the Afghan government quietly appointed Shah Bibi Saeedi to what may be the most dangerous job in Afghanistan, it was an easy decision: she was the only person who had dared to apply. On Saturday, the 44-year-old doctor became the new director of women’s affairs for the eastern province of Laghman.
Topics: Conflict and Fragile Conditions | Governance | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Afghanistan
Gender-Based Violence Still Presents Greatest Need in Nepal
March 27, 2013
Gender-based violence (GBV) affects nearly half of women in Nepal, according to a recent survey by The Asia Foundation. The results of the survey, included in a recent field report from Asia Foundation program officer and Give2Asia’s field advisor to Nepal, Diana Fernandez, showed that 48 percent of women…
Topics: International Development | Washington DC | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Nepal
Where are Malaysia’s Women Politicians?
March 13, 2013
Malaysia’s 13th general elections must be called by June 2013. After the ruling Barisan Nasional lost its two thirds majority in the 2008 elections, the big question in the minds of citizens and political parties is whether BN will recapture its majority or lose further ground to the opposition.
Topics: Economic Development | Elections | Governance | Women's Empowerment
Countries: Malaysia

On June 17, The Asia Foundation will honor His Excellency U Thura Shwe Mann, speaker of the lower house of Myanmar’s parliament, at Foundation headquarters for a special breakfast hosted by President