Purpose
- The AAWS is a forum for discussion and co-operation on new ideas in feminist education and research with a focus on Asia and to promote the dissemination of information on relevant community programs.
- The AAWS seeks to establish an institutional basis for feminist education and research on Asia, linking associations of women’s studies, research institutions, resource centers, as well as individual scholars and practitioners in the region, with the intent of addressing issues of common interest in Asia.
Activities for AAWS (2007-2010)
- AAWS Inaugural Meeting and Conference
In order to establish the Asian Association of Women’s Studies (AAWS), a Promotional Committee was constituted by Feminist Scholars from different regions of Asia. The Committee organized at an inaugural meeting (15th Nov. 2007) and a Conference (16th Nov. 2007). At the Inaugural Meeting for AAWS, Professor Chang, Pilwha (Convenor, Organizing Committee for WW05, Ewha Womans University, Women’s Studies, Korea) was elected as the first president of AAWS and Prof. Suwanna Satha-Anand (Chulaongkorn University, Thailand) was elected as Vice- President of AAWS. There were 12 Council Members, which included feminist scholars from different regions of Asia (China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam).
– Supported by Korean Association of Women’s Studies, WOWS Korea Steering Committee - AAWS Panels for WW08 in Madrid
AAWS will prepare to organize the Academic panels, “Remapping the ‘Asia(n)’ from Post-Colonial Perspectives” and “Women of Asia in Emerging Transnational Space” for Women’s World 2008. In these panels, feminist scholars from different regions of Asia will present diverse issues relating to Asian Women’s Studies. This was held on 5 July in Madrid during the 10th International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women in Spain.
– Supported by WOWS Korea Steering Committee, Korean Women’s Institute - 2009 Korea-ASEAN International Forum on Gender and Development
Asian Association of Women’s Studies (AAWS) and Korean Women’s Development Institute (KWDI) jointly had been held the 2009 Korea-ASEAN International Forum on Gender and Development at the international conference hall of KWDI in Seoul on May 28, 2009 to commemorate the ASEAN-Korea Special Summit. The theme of the forum is “Thinking Alternatives, Sustainable Future for Women in Korea-ASEAN.”
– Supported by Korean Women’s Development Institute, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Workshop on “Globalization, Marketization and Confucian Patriarchy” at Renmin University of China, Beijing
Asian Association of Women’s Studies(AAWS), Center for Contemporary Chinese Studies(CCCS) and Asian Center for Women’s Studies(ACWS) jointly had a workshop on “Globalization, Marketization and Confucian Patriarchy” at Renmin University of China, Beijing, from the 10th to 11th of October, 2009. The workshop aims to discuss the women’s situations and oppression in the Confucian societies under the globalization and marketization condition and develop feminist theories based on women’s experience in certain historical and cultural context, broaden our understanding and strengthen women’s solidarity through international exchange of knowledge and cooperation.
– Supported by Center for Contemporary Chinese Studies, Asian Center for Women’s Studies - The International Conference “Women’s Health, Well-being between Culture and the Law” in Bangkok
The International Conference “Women’s Health, Well-being between Culture and the Law” had been held during 28-29 January 2010 at the Imperial Tara Hotel, Bangkok. The Asian Association of Women’s Studies (AAWS) was fortunate to have generous supports from Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Women’s Health Advocacy Foundation, Institute for Population and Social Research, Mahidol University, and Centre for Research and Training on Gender and Women’s Health, Khon Kaen University. This conference aimed to bring together academics, lawyers, members of the health-related NGOs and the media, health advocates and women studies practitioners to share experiences in research and practice. It was a mutual learning process from participants from 8 countries in Asia that would signal more well-rounded approaches for enhancing women’s health and well-being in this region and beyond.
– Supported by Korea Foundation, Women’s Health Advocacy Foundation - ATGENDER Conference in Brussels
ATGENDER, The European Association for Gender Research, Education and Documentation is a broad association for academics, practitioners, activists, and institutions in the field of Women’s and Gender Studies, Feminist Research, women’s rights, gender equality, and diversity. The first conference ATGENDER facilitates and organizes, Beyond European Gender Studies – Transversal Connections, will take place back to back with GENDERs first General Assembly and the Tuning Validation Conference set up by ATHENA3. The events took place in Brussels on February 18 and 19, 2010. Amazone and Sophia are hosting these meetings. The president of AAWS, Chang Pilwha had delivered a keynote speech on 19th February 2010.
– Supported by ATGENDER - Colloquium on ‘Women’s Issues of Malaysia’ in Seoul
AAWS, ACWS(Asian Center for Women’s Studies), and Women’s Development Research Centre in Sains Malaysia university jointly had a colloquium on ‘women’s issues of Malaysia’ at Ewha Womans University in Seoul on 9th June 2010. The colloquium aims to discuss the ‘women’s/gender studies, advocacy and feminism’, ‘gender mainstreaming’ and ‘domestic violence’ in Malaysia.
– Supported by Asian Center for Women’s Studies, KANITA - Global Women Capital Forum in Seoul
The Korean Women’s Development Institute organized a forum to evaluate the gender effects, global financial crisis and climate change, and to discuss strategies to promote gender equality and female leadership for strong, sustainable and balanced future growth. It aims to encourage the G20 countries to pay serious attention towards gender issues and the role of women at the discussion table of G20 Seoul Summit. It was held at Lotte Hotel on 21-22 October, 2010. As the president of AAWS, Chang Pilwha gave a presentation at the roundtable, “Building Women’s Leadership: Gender and Sustainable Development.”
– Supported by Korean Women’s Development Institute, Ministry of Gender Equality and Family - [W] Forum on G20 Summit and Women’s Agenda in Seoul
The Representative Shin Nak-kyun, Representative Chung Mong-Jun and the Korean League Women Voters organized a commemorative special session on the occasion of the G20 Seoul Summit at the National Assembly Memorial Hall on 9 November, 2010. The President of AAWS, Chang Pilwha had a keynote speech on “Integration of Gender Equality into Development Policy.” - The 2nd Congress of the Asian Association of Women’s Studies
- Website: http://kanita.usm.my/aaws2010.asp
- Theme: Debating Gender Justice in Asia
- Dates: 9-11 December 2010
- Venue: City Bayview Hotel, Georgetown, Penang
- Organized by: Association of Asian Women’s Studies (AAWS), Women’s Development Research Centre (KANITA),
- Organized by: Universiti Sains Malaysia, South East Asian Association for Gender Studies, Malaysian Branch (SAMA)
Two Types of AAWS Membership
- “Institutional Membership”: This may be accorded to national, regional, local, and professional associations as well as research institutions in Asia.
- “Individual Membership”: Regular, honorary, and associate membership may be accorded to individual feminist scholars, researchers, and activists.
Since the AAWS Inaugural Conference in November 2007, the AAWS membership has gradually increased. If you want to join as a member for AAWS, please send us the application form for AAWS membership by the post or e-mail (refer to postal and e-mail address in the end of this brochure).
Congress
The AAWS Congress will be an international conference for networking and providing professional development opportunities to women’s and gender studies scholars and women’s center administrators.
- The Congress will be held once in three years.
- The Council will determine the host and venue for the Congress in accordance with the objectives of the Association.
- The location of each Congress shall be chosen in advance, based on proposals invited from all members.