Democracy & Human rights Promoting gender equality and social inclusion, the office focuses on advocating for the rights of the marginalized communities (women, LGBTQIA+ persons, migrants & refugees, youth, etc.) by contributing to the increased social awareness, protection from all types of violence, creation of inclusive laws and policies. Creating safe spaces and enabling atmosphere, our office promotes the learning, sharing, and networking among a variety of stakeholders (human rights defenders, activists, academics, government officials, etc.) across Asia.
Making Coffee and the Art of Coding: Who Works in the Field of AI? Article Katharina Klappheck examines AI’s intricate layers of power dynamics that leads to gender and racial invisibility, exclusion, and labour exploitation. By Katharina Klappheck
Of "bodies new and strange": The Future of Human Love in the Age of AI Essay Aifric Campbell explores the future of love and intimacy as our attention to humans is seduced by machines. By Aifric Campbell
Living with Machines: Communications and Gender in AI and Robotics Collection This essay collection presents how rapid developments in human-machine interactions bring challenges in ethics, labour, gender equality, and intimacy.
Experiencing Post-coup Myanmar Article 1 February 2021: Almost everyone in the country woke up in horror to the mounting bad news. An internet blackout and the inability to withdraw cash from ATMs have sparked anger and anxiety nationwide, as most employees in different cities were supposed to get their salaries via the banking system on the first day of the month. But this angst has gone far beyond the first month of the military takeover in Myanmar. It has since become a permanent feature. By Su
Post-Election Philippines: Running on Democratic Reserves Article As the dust of the 2022 Philippine presidential election settles, the alliances, the compromises, and the policy trajectory become more visible under the Marcos-Duterte government. The well-run campaign and the curated candidate branding must now give way to the real governance work, so as to address the pressing issues faced by the post-pandemic Philippines. By Cleo Anne A. Calimbahin
A Peek into Gender Transitioning in Hong Kong: An Interview with Kaspar Wan Article In an interview, Hong Kong activist Kaspar Wan talks about his experience of becoming a transman and the transgender rights movement in the city. By Kaspar Wan
Anti-Conversion Laws in India: Undermining Democracy and Women’s Rights Article Interfaith relations and marriages are fairly common in a multicultural society such as India. Long history of shared neighbourhoods and women’s rights movements made such unions easier in the last few decades. However, religious majoritarianism and bigotry are posing unprecedented challenges to interfaith marriages and, most importantly, the agency of women. By Neha Dabhade
From Population Control to Reproductive Rights: Feminist Perspectives on Low Fertility Rates in South Korea Article Population policies should be devised within a reproductive justice framework as women’s bodies have been easily objectified and utilised for national development when maternity is only understood as a woman’s duty. South Korea’s current pronatalist approaches have failed to address the real issues of low fertility trend. By Sunhye Kim
Editorial - Transitions in Asia Editorial Change is all around us; experiencing it can be exciting or worrisome, confusing or even disturbing. By contrast, the idea of “transition” stands to provide a sense of direction, in a sea of change and insecurity. Change may be happening to us; a transition has direction, it can be planned, perhaps even be initiated. It moves into a positive, sustainable direction – or so we hope. The equivalent German term “Wende” and its numerous composite terms play a prominent role in the programme of the German Green and in the international work of Heinrich Böll Stiftung (hbs).
