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Forum Profile
What's KFAW
The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) was established in October of 1990 with a special government fund for revitalization project. In 1993, the Forum was recognized as a Foundation by the Ministry of Labour (the present the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The purpose of our Foundation, through various projects, is to promote the improvement of women's status as well as their mutual understanding and cooperation in Asia.
KFAW's Goals
Grassroots Participation
KFAW fosters citizens' participation through grassroots activities related to Asia.
Comprehensive Coverage of Women's Issues
KFAW studies and researches broadly, deeply and comprehensively women's issues.
Creation of a New Identity for the City of Kitakyushu
KFAW, by promoting international exchange and cooperation, is creating a new identity for Kitakyushu City
Global Outlook
KFAW is contributing to "Gender Equality, Development and Peace" while respecting the diversity of Asian cultures.
You can download our broshure from here
KFAW's Symbol
The official name of Asia Josei Kooryuu Kenkyuu Forum in English is Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW). Below is this organization's symbol mark.
Our new symbol represents a combination of "A" and "a". The "A" is for Asia and the "a" is for advancement. Their combination symbolizes cooperative growth in the advancement of Asian women.
Its image is infinite potential.
Orange refers to the sun, women and Asia.
Green refers to nature, intelligence and delightfulness.
Seminars Held in Kitakyushu for World Government Officers Responsible for Gender Policies - Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Seminars
Since 1992, in a bid to improve the status of women mainly in the Asia-Pacific region, KFAW has held an annual seminar with the theme "Gender Mainstreaming Policies." The seminar is commissioned by JICA. In 2002, KFAW was awarded the Special Merit Prize for International Cooperation by JICA.
The seminar has attracted many government officers responsible for gender policies: 310 officers from 86 countries (as of the end of the fiscal 2011). After studying gender mainstreaming policies in Kitakyushu, they are now very active all over the world.
The United Nations and KFAW
At KFAW, we promote our activities not only in Kitakyushu but also in other areas of Japan and overseas, serving as a bridge between women in Kitakyushu and in other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
Since 1995, when we received observer status to participate in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), we have participated in the CSW as an observer. In July 2002, KFAW became the first non-government organization (NGO) based in the Kyushu region to acquire NGO Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
In November 1992, in order to support the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), KFAW established the UNIFEM Japan Committee under cooperation with the Liaison Committee for the International Women's Year and the Yokohama Women's Association. KFAW then became a full member of the UNIFEM Japan Committee. In July 1994, KFAW began to play a role as the secretariat of UNIFEM Kitakyushu, a regional committee that provided support to the UNIFEM Japan Committee.
In January 2011, UNIFEM was renamed as UN Women. In response, in April 2011, the name of UNIFEM Kitakyushu was also changed to Kitakyushu Committee of Japan National Committee for UN Women (UN Women Kitakyushu).
The Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women
For the purpose of considering the problems of women in Asian countries and promoting the empowerment of Asian women through mutual understanding and international cooperation, we hold the Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women annually. With some presenters invited from overseas, the Conference includes lectures, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.
Expanding Foreign Networks
KFAW has established networks with overseas gender-related organizations. Through the conclusion of exchange agreements and other activities, we promote interaction in order to share problems and experiences regarding gender equality in Japan and other Asian regions.
Management of the Municipal Gender Equality Center
KFAW serves as a special designated body to manage the Kitakyushu Municipal Gender Equality Center (MOVE). Since fiscal 2011, we have acted also as a special designated organization to manage Kitakyushu Women's Community Centers (in Seibu and Tobu areas of Kitakyushu).
Forum History
| 2011 | September | Concluded Agreement on Exchange and Cooperation with Incheon Development Institute. |
|---|---|---|
| Visited Chungcheongnam-do Women's Policy Development Institute, Korea | ||
| July | Opened "The 8th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)" | |
| April | Designated as a special management body to manage and operate the MOVE, Kitakyushu Tobu Women's Community Center (East) and Kitakyushu Seibu Women's Community Center (West) on behalf of the Kitakyushu City Government. | |
| March | KFAW chief researcher reported under the theme of "Rural Women Empowerment" at a CSW55 pararell event in New York | |
| January | Held an international symposium "Intermarriage and Multisulturarism" with the University of Kitakyushu | |
| 2010 | November | A KFAW foreign correspondent visited high schools in Kitakyushu and implemented an international exchange program under the theme of "The tips of fruitful high school life" |
| The 21st Kitakyushu Conference of Asian Women was held under the theme of "Child Rearing Environment in the World : Children, Parents and Society" | ||
| October | KFAW was commended as a supporting member at the 20th ceremony of the Japan Society of East Asian Studies | |
| Held the World Report Seminar on "Domiciled Foreign Women and the Local Community" | ||
| September | Opened "The 8th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)" | |
| July | Received a congratulatory message from Dalian Women's Federation for the 15th Anniversary of the Kitakyushu Municipal Gender Center MOVE's establishment as a Foundation | |
| June | Joined the 3rd Korea-Japan joint seminar commemorating Chungcheongnam-do Women's Policy Development Institute's 11th anniversary on the measure of promoting women's political participation in Korea and Japan. | |
| Visited Dalian Women's Federation and discussed the exchange in future. | ||
| March | Participated in the U.N.CSW54 and held a joint seminar on an empowerment of women with CWPDI, Korea, in New York. | |
| February | Opened "The 8th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers(B) (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2009 | November | Concluded a memorandum of understanding with CWPDI on academic exchange. |
| The member of Incheon Social Welfare Coucil visited KFAW and MOVE. | ||
| The 20th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Asian Women Today". | ||
| October | Organized a seminar "Women in Singapore Now" with the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore. | |
| September | Dalian Women's Federation visited KFAW (MOVE) by the charter flight which commemorated the 30th anniversary of the friendship agreement between Kitakyushu and Dalian. | |
| Held the 2nd Japan-Korea international symposium "From the Earth to Dining Table-Let's think about food safety from gender perspective." | ||
| August | Held an exchange program between Kitakyushu YMCA and a group of students from the Oriental Faculty of Chelyabinsk State University (7 students). | |
| Organized a seminar "The Meaning of Michelle Obama: The Evolving Role of the First Lady" with the US Consulate Fukuoka. | ||
| July | Opened "The 8th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers(A) (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| June | Established A KFAW Network of Asian Researchers. | |
| March | Ms. Yoshiko Misumi resigned her position as Chair, took office as an advisor. | |
| The secretariat work of the Kitakyushu ESD council transferred to the Environment Bureau of Kitakyushu City. | ||
| Participated in the U.N.CSW53 in New York. A KFAW chief researcher gave a presentation on the theme of "Necessity of East Asian Networks for Elderly Care." | ||
| February | Opened "The 14th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2008 | November | Organized the First Japan-Korea International Seminar "Female International Migrants' Current Status of Cultural Conflicts and Health Problems in Japan and ROK" with CWPDI. |
| The 19th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Eat the Earth, Eat on the Earth". | ||
| September | Held a special commemorative lecture titled on "Women's Current Status in Asia-pacific Region" commemorative for the 15th Anniversary of KFAW. | |
| June | Participated in an international meeting organized by Chungcheongnam-do Women's Policy Development Institute (CWPDI). Ms. Yoshizaki, the president of KFAW gave a presentation on "Human Resources Development for Women: The Present Status and Career Development Policies in Japan" at the Baekseok University in Korea. | |
| Opened "The 7th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | ||
| May | A delegation from Inchon YWCA (11 people) visited KFAW. | |
| April | Prepared for the Establishment of the KFAW Asian Researchers Network. | |
| March | Visited Incheon Metropolitan City, one of Kitakyushu's sister cities. | |
| January | Opened "The 13th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2007 | December | Organized a seminar on the situation in Myanmar under the theme of "Current Conditions of Human Rights Violations against Women in Myanmar and Aung San Suu Kyi's Pro-Democracy Movement" with the US Consulate Fukuoka. |
| November | The 18th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Let's Think Together and Create a More Sustainable Future". | |
| October | Organized a study tour on ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) to Korea to learn about progressive ESD approaches. | |
| June | Opened "The 6th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| April | Ms. Yoshiko Misumi took office as the second Chair, Ms. Kuniko Yoshizaki as the fifth President and Ms. Hiroko Hara as an Advisor. | |
| KFAW became a bureau of Education for Sustainable Development. | ||
| March | Carried out a study tour to Australia on "Empowerment of Aboriginal Women, Art and Community." | |
| February | Opened "The 12th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2006 | December | Recognized as the fourth RCE (Regional Centre of Expertise) by the United Nations University to promote Education for Sustainable Development in Kitakyushu City. |
| November | The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Creating a Just and Plentiful Future : What is the Education for Sustainable Development?". | |
| October | Based on A Centennial History of Women in Kitakyushu (Japanese), KFAW published The 100 Years History of Women of Kitakyushu from Newspapers' Perspectives (Japanese). | |
| September | Established the Kitakyushu ESD (Education for Sustainable Development) Council (44 local organizations). | |
| July | Opened "The 5th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| April | Designated as a special management body to manage and operate the Kitakyushu Municipal Gender Equality Center (MOVE) on behalf of the Kitakyushu government (FY2006-2010). | |
| February | Held the "Kitakyushu Resident's Environmental Forum towards the Creation of the World Environmental Capital." Dr. Wangari Maathai, the Nobel Pease winner, was invited as the keynote speaker. | |
| Opened "The 14th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | ||
| January | Organized a study tour on "Thinking in India about the Human Rights of Women and Children." | |
| 2005 | December | Published A Centennial History of Women in Kitakyushu (Japanese). |
| November | The 16th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women Who Have Made History". | |
| June | Opened "The 4th Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| February | Participated in the 49th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women (New York, USA). | |
| Opened "The 10th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | ||
| 2004 | November | The 15th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Gender and Human Security towards Beijing+10". |
| June | Opened "The 3rd Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| March | Participated in the High-level Intergovernmental Meeting to Review the Regional Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and Its Regional and Global Outcomes organized by UN ESCAP (Bangkok, Thailand) | |
| February | Opened "The 9th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2003 | October | Executed Projects to mark the 10th Anniversary of KFAW's establishment as a Foundation |
| The 14th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women's Empowerment and ICT". | ||
| June | Opened "The 2nd Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| February | Opened "The 8th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2002 | October | The 13th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Grassroots Proposals for Our Future : for Developing Gender-equal and Sustainable Society". |
| August | Participated in the World Summit on Sustainable Development (the Senior Researcher of KFAW worked as an advisor to the Japanese Government Delegation), and held workshops. | |
| July | KFAW was accredited with NGO Special Consultative Status to the UN Economic and Social Council. KFAW was the first NGO in Kyushu to gain such status. | |
| KFAW was awarded the Special Merit Prize for International Cooperation for 2002 from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). | ||
| June | Opened "The 1st Seminar on Gender Mainstreaming Policies for Government Officers (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| April | Kitakyushu Women's Center was renamed the Kitakyushu Municipal Gender Equality Center. | |
| March | Participated in the 46th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York, USA. | |
| February | Opened "The 7th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2001 | November | The 12th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "An Autonomous Healthy Life in a Gender Equal Society". |
| July | Opened "The 11th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| April | Ms. Hiroko Hara took office as the first Chair, Ms. Yoshiko Misumi as the fourth President and Ms. Hisako Takahashi, Former President, as an Advisor. | |
| February | Opened "The 6th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 2000 | November | Received an award for Community Development in the World from the Minister of Home Affairs. |
| September | The 11th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Environment in Asia and the Pacific". | |
| July | Opened "The 10th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| February | Opened "The 5th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| January | Organized a Study Tour for Women Entrepreneurs to San Francisco, USA. | |
| 1999 | November | The 10th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Towards a Gender Equal Century : Women 2000' and Beyond". |
| July | Opened "The 9th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| April | Initiated the Japan Society Local Government and Public Policy Fellowship Project. | |
| February | Opened "The 4th Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 1998 | November | The 7th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Mainstreaming Gender for Sustainable Development in Asia". |
| October 10 | Celebrated the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the foundation. | |
| July | Opened "The 8th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| March 24 | Ms. Hisako Takahashi took office as 3rd President of KFAW. | |
| February | Opened "The 3rd Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 1997 | November | The 8th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women and Education". |
| September | A "Visiting Researchers Program" was launched. | |
| July | Opened "The 7th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| February | Opened "The 2nd Seminar on Gender Perspective in Environment and Development (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 1996 | November | The 7th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women and the Media". |
| July | Opened "The 6th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| February | Opened "The 1st Seminar on Women in Environment and Development (Commissioned by JICA)." | |
| 1995 | November | The 6th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women and Labor". |
| September | Received observer status to participate in The United Nations Commission on Status of Women, and participated in the Fourth World Conference on Women as an observer. KFAW also participated in the conference NGO Forum and held a workshop. | |
| July | Opening events for the Kitakyushu Women's Center were held. | |
| Opened "The 5th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | ||
| June 22 | Mr. Hachiji Okuda took office as the second President. | |
| April 1 | KFAW was commissioned by the City of Kitakyushu to manage and operate the Kitakyushu Women's Center. | |
| 1994 | November | The 5th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women and the Family". |
| July | Opened "The 4th Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| February | Ms. Hisako Takahashi, President, was appointed Supreme Court Judge and resigned from office. Ms. Yoshiko Misumi, Managing Director, became the Acting President. | |
| Opened "The 3rd Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | ||
| 1993 | November | The 4th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Population and Our Earth's Future". |
| October 1 | Became a Foundation (President - Ms. Hisako Takahashi) | |
| February | Opened "The 2nd Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 1992 | November | When the UNIFEM Japan Committee was formed to support the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), KFAW became a full UNIFEM member and member of the Liaison Committee for the International Women's Year, together with the Yokohama Women's Association. |
| The 3rd Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women in Environment and Development". | ||
| March | Opened "The 1st Seminar for Government Officers on the Improvement of the Status of Women (commissioned by JICA)". | |
| 1991 | December | The 2nd Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Women in Decision-Making". |
| May | Recruitment of KFAW foreign correspondents began. (This annual project has continued ever since.) | |
| March | The 1st Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was held under the theme of "Asia and Women Today". | |
| The 1st edition of the information magazine Asian Breeze was published. | ||
| 1990 | October 20 | The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) was officially established. (1 st President - Ms. Hisako Takahashi) |
| June | The 1st Asian Seminar was held. (This seminar has been held annually ever since.) | |
| 1989 | December 26 | The Master Plan Committee proposed a revision of the provisional name to the "Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women." The revision was approved. |
| November 1 | The "Committee for Formulating a Basic Plan for the Asia Women's Forum" was established. | |
| August 23 | The Asia women's Forum (provisional name), as a "System for research on and training of Asian women," was chosen from 101 entries as the City of Kitakyushu's "Project for community conceived and led regional development (Project for revitalizing local Communities)." |
