The “Asian Breeze” is a newsletter published in English and Japanese by Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women/KFAW. It covers a wide range of up-to-date topics such as gender equality, empowerment of all of women and girls, SDGs and environmental issues and so on, allowing you to see 'Asian women today'. We hope you will enjoy reading it.
Empower Her, Empower Bangladesh:
The Fight for Women Workers’ Rights
－Farin Binta Zahir, Bangladesh
In Pakistan disasters are not just natural—they are deeply social
－Jawaria Arzoo Kashif, Pakistan
Asian Breeze No 112 features reports from two KFAW Foreign correspondents. Farin Binta Zahir from Bangladesh reports on the current status of women in Bangladesh’s economic sector. Jawaria A. Kasif from Pakistan reports on disasters in Pakistan from a gender perspective.
No. 112, February 2026
Let’s walk together while listening to community radio
－Jeong Hyomin, South Korea
In Asian Breeze No. 111, Jeong Hyomin from South Korea reflects on her experience as a radio producer in Busan, reporting on the vibrant community radio scene where women play an active role. Deeply rooted in local identity, Busan’s community radio features numerous female producers and hosts, fostering intergenerational exchange through program creation.
No. 111, December 2025
How Border Conflicts Affect Cambodian Women and Girls
－Visalsokwatey Sin, Cambodia
A Nation at the Crossroads:
Gender-Based Violence Trends in Bangladesh Before and After August 2024
－Farin Binta Zahir, Bangladesh
Asian Breeze No. 110 features reports from two of KFAW’s foreign correspondents. Ms. Sin Visalsokwatey from Cambodia shares how the ongoing border conflict is seriously affecting women and girls in Cambodia. Ms. Farin Binta Zahir from Bangladesh reports on trends in gender-based violence stemming from political changes in Bangladesh.
No. 110, November 2025
Beijing +30: What Did Participation in the Beijing Conference Mean to Us?
－ODA Yukiko, Advisor, Japan Women’s Watch (JAWW)
Asian Breeze No. 109 features an article by Ms. Yukiko Oda, Advisor to the Japan Women’s Watch (JAWW). Marking 30 years since the Beijing Conference, the article reflects on the journey of women in Kitakyushu who connected with the world, brought their learnings back to their community, and contributed to the advancement of gender equality.
No. 109, September 2025
Women Economic Empowerment in Pakistan: Challenges and Progress
－Jawaria Arzoo Kashif, Pakistan
Progress of Government’s Policy on Gender Equality in Cambodia
－Visalsokwatey Sin, Cambodia
Asian Breeze No. 108 features reports from two of KFAW’s Foreign Correspondents. Ms. Jawaria Arzoo Kashif from Pakistan reports on the country’s efforts for women’s economic empowerment and the challenges that hinder gender equality. Ms. Visalsokwatey Sin from Cambodia highlights Cambodia’s gender equality policies and progress in education and employment.
No. 108, July 2025
Concluding Observations on the Ninth Periodic Report of Japan by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
－KFAW
Asian Breeze Vol. 107 provides an overview of the CEDAW Committee’s review of Japan’s ninth periodic report on 17 October 2024. The review emphasized promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination against women. Following a constructive dialogue, the committee issued concluding observations on October 29, 2024, with key recommendations including allowing women to retain their maiden names after marriage, reducing candidacy deposits for women running for parliament, improving access to contraception, and amending abortion laws.
No. 107, March 2025
Women’s Poverty and Economic Empowerment in Pakistan
－Shabana Mahfooz, Pakistan
Women’s Representation in Fiji’s Parliament:
Could Quotas be the Way Forward? A Call for Action
－Zaynah Shameem, Fiji
Asian Breeze No. 106 features reports from two of KFAW’s Foreign Correspondents. Ms. Shabana Mahfooz from Pakistan reports on the changing behavior of women in Pakistan and the factors behind it from an economic perspective. Zaynah Shameem from Fiji reports on the current state of women’s participation in Fiji’s parliament and her view on the introduction of a quata system.
No. 106, February 2025
CSW68 Summary
－HORIUCHI Mitsuko, President of KFAW
Asian Breeze Vol. 105 provides a summary of CSW68. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is one of functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and focuses on gender equality and the improvement of women’s social status. It meets annually around March at the UN Headquarters in New York to recommend, report, and suggest actions to ECOSOC. CSW69 will be held for March 10-21, 2025.
No. 105, January 2025
Improving Road Infrastructure Projects with Inclusive Planning
－Zafiya Shamim, Fiji
How Day Care Centres are Giving Wings to Women
－Swapna Majumdar, India
Asian Breeze No.104 features reports from two of KFAW’s four Foreign Correspondents. Zafiya Shamim of Fiji reports on her country’s attempts at inclusive planning and progress in incorporating women’s perspectives in infrastructure development. Swapna Majumdar from India reports on how the establishment of daycare centres has helped mothers become economically independent.
No. 104, December 2024
Creating Hope
– Kenichiro Ogawa（Osaka YMCA General Secretary & CEO）
In Asian Breeze No.103, Mr. Kenichiro Ogawa, Osaka YMCA General Secretary & CEO, presents some of the educational activities of YMCA School Organization, including a gender perspective, which might give an impact on conventional views of education.
No. 103, July 2024
