Indonesia’s Women Forest Defenders

Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

A mountainous tropical forest on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the Leuser Ecosystem is the last place on earth where the elephant, rhino, tiger, and orangutan still roam together in the wild. But the forest is under pressure from poachers, illegal loggers, and miners, who strip the land of resources, causing floods and destroying villages. Now, a band of forest defenders, organized and led by women, is demonstrating that social forestry can stop this destructive exploitation by engaging the communities whose lives are entwined with the health of the forest. Beginning with a handful of women in just one village, now, thanks to The Asia Foundation, there’s an Aceh Women Forest Defenders Movement in 15 villages patrolling and protecting the forest. Their remarkable success is due, in part, to our 2023 Lotus Leadership award honoree HAkA, an Indonesia-based organization that supported the women forest defenders’ efforts to petition the government for the right to protect and manage their forests.

2023 Lotus Leadership Awards

Friday, April 28th, 2023

On April 26, 2023, The Asia Foundation hosted the 2023 Lotus Leadership Awards in New York City. The eleventh Lotus Leadership Awards honored Gloria Steinem, Google.org, HAkA, and the Aceh Women Forest Defenders Movement from Indonesia. The gala featured special guest Seth Meyers, photographer Nigel Barker and singer-songwriter Katini Yamaoka.  

Gloria Steinem, Google.org, and Aceh Women Forest Defenders to be Honored at 2023 Lotus Leadership Awards

Monday, April 24th, 2023

New York, April 24, 2023 — The Asia Foundation will host the 2023 Lotus Leadership Awards on April 26 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. The eleventh Lotus Leadership Awards will honor Gloria Steinem, Google.org, HAkA, and the Aceh Women Forest Defenders Movement from Indonesia. The gala will feature special guest Seth Meyers, photographer Nigel Barker and singer-songwriter Katini Yamaoka.   The Asia Foundation and Lotus Circle expand women’s and girls’ opportunities and advance gender equality. This year’s honorees have exhibited an enormous amount of bravery and innovation to create lasting changes in society. Gloria Steinem for inspiring global advocacy to advance women’s rights and climate justice; Google.org for their groundbreaking investments to support women’s economic empowerment; and HAkA and the Women Forest Defenders for their visionary leadership in environmental stewardship.    “Our premise is really simple: when you change the lives of women, you can affect an entire society. That’s the power of the multiplier effect,” said Lotus Leadership Awards co-chairs Sydnie Kohara and Elizabeth Keatinge Scheideler.   “We are particularly inspired by our work to strengthen the role and capacity of women environmental defenders to address the devastating environmental impact of extractive practices and loss in livelihoods. This year’s Lotus Leadership honorees are making lasting change, improving lives, and helping societies flourish. These are the very characteristics that define The Asia Foundation, and The Lotus Circle is thrilled to honor and collaborate with them.”  Funding from the Lotus Circle—a community of philanthropists committed to advancing women’s rights and opportunities in Asia and the Pacific—allows The Asia Foundation to seed and sustain innovative projects designed to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality in the region, including the Lotus Leadership Rapid Response Fund to address urgent needs. Proceeds from this evening will support work that makes a lasting impact on women’s and girls’ lives in the Asia-Pacific.    The Asia Foundation thanks our generous supporters: Visionary sponsor Regeneron and Champion sponsor Kirkland & Ellis. Register for the 2023 Lotus Leadership Awards and learn more about the Lotus Circle.  The Asia Foundation is a nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives across a dynamic and… Read more

2023 Lotus Leadership Awards Gala

Thursday, April 13th, 2023

The Asia Foundation will host the 2023 Lotus Leadership Awards on April 26 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. The eleventh Lotus Leadership Awards will honor Gloria Steinem, Google.org, HAkA, and the Aceh Women Forest Defenders Movement from Indonesia. The gala will feature special guest Seth Meyers, photographer Nigel Barker and singer-songwriter Katini Yamaoka.

Advancing Women’s Rights and Opportunities with Lotus Circle Funds

Friday, March 31st, 2023

The Lotus Circle is a vibrant community of committed individuals and organizations supporting The Asia Foundation’s Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Program to strengthen economic, social, and political rights and opportunities for women and girls in Asia and the Pacific. The Asia Foundation launched the Lotus Circle in 2007 to engage a growing group of philanthropists committed to investing in women across Asia. Funds raised strengthen The Asia Foundation’s work in women’s empowerment and gender equality, and promote gender mainstreaming efforts. To date, more than $4.3 million in Lotus Circle Funds have been programmed through more than 100 grants and projects.

The Women Defending Indonesia’s Forests

Wednesday, March 8th, 2023

“You can’t protect what you don’t love, and you can’t love what you don’t know.” Indonesian women harness the local power of social forestry.

2022 Lotus Leadership Awards

Thursday, April 7th, 2022

On Wednesday April 6th, 2022 The Asia Foundation hosted the 10th Lotus Leadership Awards in New York City. This year’s awards honored Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and the Marshall Plan for Moms, for working to close the gender gap in STEM for women and girls; the G-Star RAW Denim Foundation, for advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment; and Kampuchea Action to Promote Education for strengthening girls’ education and leadership in Cambodia.

Lotus Leadership Awards: Beyond a Sustainable Supply Chain

Wednesday, March 30th, 2022

The adventurous Dutch fashion company G-Star, known for its sustainable denim, is also a force for development in Asia through its GSRD Foundation. GSRD will be honored April 6 with an Asia Foundation Lotus Leadership Award.

2022 Lotus Leadership Awards to Honor Reshma Saujani and G-Star RAW Denim Foundation for Expanding Opportunities for Women and Girls

Wednesday, March 30th, 2022

New York City, March 30, 2022 — The Asia Foundation will host the 2022 Lotus Leadership Awards on April 6 at the Mandarin Oriental in New York City. The tenth Lotus Leadership Awards honors Girls Who Code founder Reshma Saujani, G-Star RAW Denim Foundation (GSRD), and the Kampuchea Action to Promote Education (KAPE) from Cambodia. The gala will also feature an appearance from NBC’s “Late Night” host Seth Meyers and remarks from Afghan activist and 2012 Lotus Leadership honoree Dr. Sakena Yacoobi. The Asia Foundation and Lotus Circle are committed to expanding women’s and girls’ opportunities and advancing gender equality. They recognize the critical and life-changing work of these three Leadership Award honorees who have opened opportunities to young women that, in turn, will create a more inclusive and better world. Reshma Saujani’s visionary leadership and commitment to gender equality and girls’ opportunities in STEM through her nonprofit Girls Who Code has empowered young women to see themselves as brave and resilient changemakers in the tech industry. G-Star RAW Denim is a Dutch denim brand known for its pioneering, no-limits approach to fashion and sustainability. Fifteen years ago, they quietly created the GSRD Foundation, striving for empowerment and economic independence for young adults through education and entrepreneurship programs. Now a long-time partner of The Asia Foundation, GSRD invests directly in the communities across Vietnam, Bangladesh, and China where their denim is produced. The GSRD Foundation has a commitment to sharing profits with the countries where they manufacture, while also advancing women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. This year, the 15th anniversary of GSRD Foundation, they are challenging other international companies to look at their sphere of influence beyond their supply chains. Kampuchea Action to Promote Education (KAPE) is Cambodia’s most prominent education NGO and believes quality education for young girls is not simply an opportunity but a right. A longtime partner of The Asia Foundation, KAPE is bridging the gap in girls’ education in Cambodia by supporting them through their schooling and into employment. “When women and girls gain access to the tools, networks, and resources they need, there is no… Read more

Virtual Event: The Power of Networks

Monday, March 7th, 2022

As we emerge from two years of disconnectedness, eager now to engage more actively with family, friends, colleagues, and broader communities, we ask: How do we continue to show up for ourselves and our people? What connections have kept us stronger together? The Asia Foundation has built robust networks across Asia, demonstrating the power of networks to bring about transformative change. Working with partners like Zendesk, the Foundation is harnessing diverse networks to empower women and promote gender equality. Featuring Jane Sloane, Senior Director, Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality Program, The Asia Foundation Prelini Udayan-Chiechi, Senior Vice President, Global Marketing, Zendesk