【March 11】Join us at the NGO CSW68 ANWS Parallel Event

Liya Tang is the supervisor of an emergency women’s shelter in Taipei, where she actively supports women in their transition to a more stable life. With a strong commitment to advocating for the prevention of domestic violence and the rights of abused women and girls, Liya has been working in GOH’s “Going the Second Mile” project for six years. This initiative focuses on assisting women in rebuilding their lives, providing crucial support in areas such as economic empowerment, medical treatment, and legal assistance. With a background in social work, Liya has dedicated seven years to caring for and assisting victims in situations of intimate partner violence (IPV). A graduate of National Taipei University’s Department of Social Work, she holds the qualifications to serve as a social worker. Recognized for her exceptional contributions, she received the honor of Best Social Worker in 2020 from the Taipei City Government and the Best Service Prize for Social Workers from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, highlighting her significant impact and dedication in the field.

KITANAKA Chisato

• Born in Wakayama prefecture, Japan. Currently lives in Hiroshima city, Japan.President, co-representative of All Japan Women’s Shelters Network.
• President, Sexual violence victim support Hiroshima (Rape crisis center)
• Associate professor of Harassment Consultation Office at Hiroshima University.
• A social worker on university campus who deals with harassment, bullying, discrimination and violence. Major research theme: sociological gender theory, violence against women, harassment on campus, academic harassment and academic misconduct.
• Also joined Campus Sexual Harassment National Network (in Japan) since the inception.
• Master’s Degree from Nagoya University, Graduate School of Letters (Sociology),
• Participation in Doctoral Program at Nagoya University, Graduate School of Letters (Sociology).
• Email: kitanaka@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Mrs. Thak Socheat is currently the Executive Director of Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center, a non-governmental organization that has been recognized by government, civil society and international agencies as a leading women’s organization that advocate for the human rights of women and children, gender justice and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children. She has previously held a position of Program Manager of CWCC for more than 12 years. 

Socheat holds a Master degree in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development, from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.

Socheat has experience working with NGOs in Cambodia for more than 14 years and an inter-governmental organization owned by the six countries of Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) based in Thailand, Mekong Institute (MI) for more than 2 years. She had been volunteering as a vice chair of board director of the Cambodian Organization for Children and Development for more 10 years. Currently, she serves as a steering committee member of Gender And Development Network and Asian Network of Women’s Shelter.

My name is Linnea Elg, a 25-year-old Bachelor’s student interning at the Center for Women and Development which works to empower disadvantaged women in Vietnam. As part of my Bachelor’s degree in Global development, I am also conducting an in-depth field study exploring the implications of paid menstrual leave for women in Vietnam. This research, partly funded by a Swedish stipend, exemplifies my dedication to understanding and addressing issues that affect women’s lives. 

I usually reside in Stockholm, Sweden. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a foundation that serves as a complementary backdrop to my current studies.

I am thrilled to be part of this forum, ready to share my experiences and insights on the important topic of economic violence in Vietnam and Asia.

Kavindi Wijesekera

I come from a background of women who have always worked towards supporting and championing Social causes and issues related to women and children. This was the influential impact in my life that led to the unintentional career path that I chose to per sue my career in combatting Sexual and Gender Based Violence Against Women and Girls in Sri Lanka and my dedication, and love, for the cause.

As I’ve always been creative from a young age, and passionate about the arts in all forms, I always wanted to amalgamate my creativity with my work, and I found the perfect balance in the position I hold today at Women In Need. I have the opportunity to work closely with victim survivors themselves in the rehabilitation process towards their holistic empowerment and self-growth. I see them grow through their rehabilitation and empowerment process, receiving legal and counseling services, along with temporary shelter when necessary to strengthen and empower them for their reintegration back to society. Some of our Winners of violence chose to stay with WIN as we sphere head them towards reaching economic empowerment where they are trained in an easy skill to help them gain self-confidence, value, and economic empowerment by giving them employment opportunities, opening avenues for financial independence. A key aspect to breaking the cycle of violence is becoming financially independent, and a key ingredient in a perpetrator’s hold over a victim is their financial reliance on the perpetrator.

I started my journey at Women In Need as a volunteer right after pursuing my further education in business management almost 12 years ago. Although I had no experience working on Gender it was so much a part of my home and my childhood. I have worked to combat GBV in Sri Lanka and grown with WIN in the last 12 years learning to face and deal with common societal issues that seem unrealistic due to its stigma to most in society. My work keeps me grounded and humble, always reminding me that kindness is something that can change a life. Currently I work as the Social Enterprise Project Manager, Shelter Affairs and Creative Admin at Women In Need. I started at WIN with the startup of an empowerment initiative recycling A4 waste and thrown-away Banana Barks to manufacture recycled paper and products. We named this initiative WIN FOR HER, which grew into the arm of WIN’s Social Enterprise, which has grown into 4 regional centers manufacturing products unique to its regions. WIN FOR HER has grown in stages along with the strong women who work hard to see it grow steadily and gradually. All the products manufactured in the regions tell stories of unimaginable pain, mental distress and trauma but also growth, determination and resilience that is not only their pride and joy but mine. Although my work can sometimes be mentally taxing and time-consuming, Seeing our victims grow from the time they step into WIN’s crisis centers going through the stages of WIN’s services of counseling and legal advice and court representation to seeing them finally finding solace and peace of mind at WIN’s shelters is something that is beyond me. It’s been an absolute joy to be able to tie my creativity and love for the cause to help rehabilitate and empower women and girls. There is nothing more rewarding than playing a crucial role, in seeing a victim- survivor, now empowered and a confident woman, as she is reintegrated back to society. 

Anoja Makawita

Psychological Counselor – Women in Need, Colombo 08. (From 2005 June – 2014 January) Joined Women in Need in 2017 March and up to now, 2022 Promoted as Head of Counselling –Women in Need.

As a psychological counselor in Women in Need, I am working with women and children who have been subjected to Domestic violence, Sexual harassment, rape and cyber violence victims.  Apart from that other emotional distress women, men children and teenagers are coming to us to get counseling for day-to-day psychological issues. Per week nearly 10-15 clients seek counselling support free of charge and even though most challengeable I work with perpetrators as well. As a head of counseling, I have a very big responsibility regarding shelter client handling and shelter management on SGBV cases.

Suvekchya Rana is an Executive Director at Saathi an NGO that works on Violence Against Women (VAW) in Nepal. She has been working for Saathi since 2004 and during this period has gained substantial experience on various spectrum of VAW and Gender Equality ranging from domestic violence, harmful traditional practices, child marriage, dignified menstruation, youth peace and security. She is also greatly involved in expanding partnerships and collaboration with different networks and organizations working on VAW including coordinating the National Network Against Domestic Violence (NNADV), the National Network on Beijing-Review Nepal (NNBN) and the National Network of Women Shelters. She is also actively engaged in the Men Engage Alliance and is a coordinator of the Men Engage Alliance Nepal.