Profiles and Progress

Women and men across the the Asia Pacific region are changing the way communities prepare for disasters. By prioritising the needs of women, girls and the most vulnerable, they are a part of a global movement that is transforming emergency preparedness and planning. This collection of stories shares the experiences of women from the most disaster prone countries in the region and invites them to reflect on the shift towards a more inclusive community health approach and the challenges of COVID 19.

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Indonesia: Nur Hidayati Handayani is a member of the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights. She works as a project manager for Empower Youth For Work in Indonesia. She worked with UNFPA on more than a dozen emergencies in various roles as … — Indonesia: Nur Hidayati Handayani is a member of the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights. She works as a project manager for Empower Youth For Work in Indonesia. She worked with UNFPA on more than a dozen emergencies in various roles as a youth coordinator and program officer. READ HER STORY

Cambodia: Sovanvotey Hok is also know as the Green Lady of Cambodia. She’s an advocate for women’s health in a country where cultural barriers can often slow progress. She attended the #ICPD25 summit in Nairobi last year where she was inspired to st… — Cambodia: Sovanvotey Hok is also know as the Green Lady of Cambodia. She’s an advocate for women’s health in a country where cultural barriers can often slow progress. She attended the #ICPD25 summit in Nairobi last year where she was inspired to start her innovation initiative to deliver youth-created sexuality education to schools across the country. READ MORE

Indonesia: Lia is a female sex worker living with HIV. She is the national coordinator of OPSI, a national network of sex workers in Indonesia. Together with UNFPA, OPSI is developing innovative models for reaching female sex workers with HIV in Ind… — Indonesia: Lia is a female sex worker living with HIV. She is the national coordinator of OPSI, a national network of sex workers in Indonesia. Together with UNFPA, OPSI is developing innovative models for reaching female sex workers with HIV in Indonesia. READ MORE

Papua New Guinea: Dr Paula Zzefrio is an obstetrician gynecologist in New Ireland. She’s one of the only doctors trained in complex deliveries for a province with a population of more than 800,000. She’s recently completed her training in Port Mores… — Papua New Guinea: Dr Paula Zzefrio is an obstetrician gynecologist in New Ireland. She’s one of the only doctors trained in complex deliveries for a province with a population of more than 800,000. She’s recently completed her training in Port Moresby and has returned home to deliver antenatal care in challenging conditions with scarce resources. LEARN MORE

Solomon Islands/Fiji: Zillah Douglas helps facilitate discussions about menstrual hygiene and women’s health in remote island communities, LEARN MORE — Solomon Islands/Fiji: Zillah Douglas helps facilitate discussions about menstrual hygiene and women’s health in remote island communities, LEARN MORE

Solomon Islands: Mary Alalo works to help communities in the Solomon Islands prepare for climate change by involving women in the planning about what's needed when natural disasters hit. READ MORE — Solomon Islands: Mary Alalo works to help communities in the Solomon Islands prepare for climate change by involving women in the planning about what's needed when natural disasters hit. READ MORE

Pakistan: Yusra Hussain is the founder of Agahee Pakistan, a grassroots organization providing social enterprise services to marginalized communities, especially women and young people. She’s dedicated to empowering other women and raising their awa… — Pakistan: Yusra Hussain is the founder of Agahee Pakistan, a grassroots organization providing social enterprise services to marginalized communities, especially women and young people. She’s dedicated to empowering other women and raising their awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights. READ HER STORY

Philippines: Febby Gibson is a nurse who got involved in disaster response as a volunteer and supported women and girls across the country in a string of devastating typhoons. Her experience in emergencies led to roles within the government that hel… — Philippines: Febby Gibson is a nurse who got involved in disaster response as a volunteer and supported women and girls across the country in a string of devastating typhoons. Her experience in emergencies led to roles within the government that helped shaped how the Philippines prioritizes the needs of women and girls in disasters. READ HER STORY

Indonesia: Allam Amin is a humanitarian worker who supports the most vulnerable people during emergencies and relief projects by coordinating logistics and supply chains for essential items like medicine, shelter and dignity kits. READ HIS STORY