Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality

About this Program

We have transformed thousands of lives through evidence-based programs that focus on expanding women’s economic opportunities, increasing women’s rights and security, and advancing women’s political participation.

Program Outcomes

  • Greater equity, inclusion, and opportunities for vulnerable groups
  • Increased opportunities for women’s education, employment, and entrepreneurship
  • Improved women’s rights and security, including reduced gender-based violence
  • Greater women’s political voice and leadership

How We Work

Four people wearing lab coats, standing around a lab table. Three of them taking notes while one appears to be instructing

Increasing women’s economic opportunities

Through education, entrepreneurship, vocational training, and scholarships we equip women with the knowledge and skills to earn an income and break into higher-paid employment sectors.

In the workplace, we address constraints faced by women entrepreneurs, providing networking opportunities, mentoring, access to information and credit, and business management training. Working alongside local partners we foster environments where women can advocate for improved policies.

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Women’s rights and security

We work with individuals and communities to change norms that perpetuate gender-based violence and the exploitation of women and girls.

We engage government and civil society to strengthen laws, legal systems, and other response mechanisms to increase access to justice and improve service delivery. A leader in the fight against human trafficking, The Asia Foundation has pioneered initiatives to combat trafficking in nearly a dozen source, transit, and destination countries.

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Bishnu Kumari Acharya walks and talks with her community mediators Sita in a small village outside Pokhara.
Women voters wait their turn to cast ballots in Butig

Promoting women’s participation in political and public life

We empower women to engage in political processes, and equip women to be informed voters, active members of political parties, and successful candidates.

Working with local governments and partners we advance women’s rights and strengthen legal systems to reform policies that discriminate.

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Recent Publications

Women’s Voice and Leadership Sri Lanka Approach Notes

These approach notes developed by the Women’s Voice and Leadership Sri Lanka project explore the feminist approaches used to achieve project outcomes. Each document delves into the strategies implemented, results…

Upcoming Events

Lotus Circle

The Lotus Circle is a vibrant community of committed individuals and organizations supporting our Women’s Empowerment program to strengthen economic, social, and political rights and opportunities for women and girls in Asia. By joining the Lotus Circle, with an annual gift of $1000 or more, you can help transform the lives of women and girls across Asia.

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Latest Across Asia and the Pacific

  • Expanding Success of Public-Private Partnership to Address Childhood Stunting in Indonesia 

  • Addressing Challenges to Organizational Capacity: Our Commitment to Growth

  • 2024 Leaders on the Frontlines: Voices for Asia and the Pacific’s Future

AsiaFoundation70

This year, we celebrate 70 years of improving lives and expanding opportunities.

InAsia Podcast

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