The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) was established in October 1990 to improve the status of women in Japan and across Asia. Under the themes of "learning together," "meeting together" and "helping one another," it carries out projects aimed at women's empowerment and gender equality.
Since 1992 it has been commissioned by JICA to run an annual training course on gender mainstreaming policy, and it is reported that 528 gender officials from 92 countries have studied in Kitakyushu (as of August 2024). Its ties with the United Nations are also strong: it obtained observer status at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in 1995, and in July 2002 acquired consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
It also holds the annual Asian Women's Conference in Kitakyushu, publishes the research journal Asian Women's Studies and the newsletter Asian Breeze, and runs gender seminars for high school students. It also serves as the designated manager of the Kitakyushu Municipal Gender Equality Center MOVE, operating a place where citizens can learn and take part.
Key points
- Gender mainstreaming training running since 1992, with 528 officials from 92 countries having studied in Kitakyushu
- Holds UN consultative status and offers citizens opportunities to take part in UN meetings
- Many chances for citizens to learn, including journals, newsletters and seminars for high school students
Why this organization deserves attention
It is distinctive for combining local roots with an international network. The fact that government officials from around the world who studied in Kitakyushu are now active in their own countries shows one form that international cooperation can take.
It is also appealing that knowledge gained at UN meetings is shared with citizens through reports and seminars. With seminars for younger generations too, it offers easy opportunities to start thinking about gender.
Editor's comment
Gender equality is not a story about faraway countries; it is a theme tied to our everyday lives. The exchange from Kitakyushu to the world, and from the world to Kitakyushu, seems to offer hints for thinking about it.
Information on reports and seminars can be found in the news section of the official website. Whether you live nearby or not, why not take a look?