Updates from Washington, DC: July 2020
August 6, 2020In this issue: Orphans in Muslim Mindanao; Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh; Women Entrepreneurs in Mongolia; Coalitions for Change in the Philippines; Mobile Banking in Vietnam Women in India’s Gig Economy; Let’s Read
Urban Migration in Myanmar: An Analysis of Migration Patterns and Migrant Well-being
August 6, 2020The rapid expansion of cities in Myanmar increases the importance of research on the well-being of urban residents. This discussion paper provides quantitative analysis of urban migration and the difficulties faced by urban migrants. The findings corroborate much of the existing research on urban migration in Myanmar, while challenging some of the existing narratives and demonstrating the value of utilizing…
The State of Bangladesh’s Political Governance, Development, and Society: According to its Citizens
July 30, 2020The State of Bangladesh’s Political Governance, Development, and Society: According to its Citizens is part of a national-level citizen perception survey conducted every year by The Asia Foundation Bangladesh office. Principal themes of the survey include citizens’ perception of Bangladesh’s society, politics, and economy; perception of political governance and representation; citizenship; democracy; inclusive development; digitalized Bangladesh; social media’s role in…
Overcoming As 14: The Role of State and Region Governments in Supporting Myanmar’s Covid-19 Economic Response Plan
July 29, 2020In Myanmar, the recently released Overcoming as One: Covid-19 Economic Relief Plan (CERP) sets out the Union government’s economic response to Covid-19, ranging from action on personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement to direct cash transfers to households. The CERP outlines an ambitious economic response to Covid-19 and provides a useful tool for cross-government coordination. The CERP outlines an ambitious set…
Timor-Leste Covid-19 Survey
July 29, 2020The Covid-19, or coronavirus, global pandemic has required huge responses from governments all over the world. Timor-Leste has its own unique requirements when addressing an event of this magnitude. The Government of Timor-Leste responded by declaring a state of emergency, which closed schools, suspended public transport and large gatherings, instituted border closures and established requirements for social distancing. Summary Levantamentu…
Thinking and Working Politically in Development: Coalitions for Change in the Philippines
July 29, 2020In this publication, authors John T. Sidel and Jaime Faustino look into the Coalitions for Change (CfC), a program of The Asia Foundation and the Australian Embassy Partnership in the Philippines. In looking at CfC’s diverse initiatives–in tax reform, education reform, land governance reform, electoral reform, infrastructure reform, disaster risk reduction and management, and conflict resolution–the book surfaces lessons on…
India’s Emerging Gig Economy: The Future of Work for Women
July 23, 2020This pilot study seeks to understand the role of India’s growing platform-based gig economy on women’s employment and working conditions. It presents an in-depth study of women’s work through the lens of India’s leading platform companies, and aims to understand the emerging forms of labor practices and the impact of platform engagement on workers’ experiences, challenges, and its impact on…
Mobile Banking – Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment for the Low-Income Population and Women in Vietnam
July 7, 2020This impact study highlights major benefits experienced by VBSP clients and group leader in the long run, impact case studies, and indicative cost benefit analysis. This exercise aims to conduct a qualitative study of the outcomes and impacts of the SMS notification services (using case studies as a primary approach) to provide an understanding of the benefits that Phase I…
COVID-19, 4IR, and the Future of Work
July 2, 2020The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis that has led to staggering losses in economic activity and jobs. Even as the world grapples with containing the virus and stemming the economic hemorrhage, it is becoming clear that the pandemic is contributing to the accelerated deployment of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) automation technologies. This acceleration could proceed unevenly across…
Children of War: A Rapid Needs Assessment of Orphans in Muslim Mindanao
June 24, 2020This report summarizes findings from a rapid assessment of the status of orphans who have lost at least one parent from the wars in Mindanao in the last decade (2009-2019). Many are children of shaheed, or martyrs in the service of the Moro revolutionary fronts, but the study also covers civilians who were killed in skirmishes and other major incidents…