From Disability to Visibility: Portraits of the Disabled in Cambodia Photo story A series of portraits of people with disabilities (PwD) in Cambodia taken in celebration of their capabilities instead of their limitations. It focuses on their journey of empowerment and crafts a life of independence for themselves. From a farmer to an NGO director, from a tailor to a fisherman, they all have the abilities to do what everyone else does and these photos show exactly that, not their disabilities. Created in collaboration with various local NGOs and Heinrich Böll Foundation. By Miguel Lopes Jerónimo
Experiencing Post-coup Myanmar Article 1 February 2021: Almost everyone in the country woke up in horror to the mounting bad news. An internet blackout and the inability to withdraw cash from ATMs have sparked anger and anxiety nationwide, as most employees in different cities were supposed to get their salaries via the banking system on the first day of the month. But this angst has gone far beyond the first month of the military takeover in Myanmar. It has since become a permanent feature. By Su
Post-Election Philippines: Running on Democratic Reserves Article As the dust of the 2022 Philippine presidential election settles, the alliances, the compromises, and the policy trajectory become more visible under the Marcos-Duterte government. The well-run campaign and the curated candidate branding must now give way to the real governance work, so as to address the pressing issues faced by the post-pandemic Philippines. By Cleo Anne A. Calimbahin
A Peek into Gender Transitioning in Hong Kong: An Interview with Kaspar Wan Article In an interview, Hong Kong activist Kaspar Wan talks about his experience of becoming a transman and the transgender rights movement in the city. By Kaspar Wan
Anti-Conversion Laws in India: Undermining Democracy and Women’s Rights Article Interfaith relations and marriages are fairly common in a multicultural society such as India. Long history of shared neighbourhoods and women’s rights movements made such unions easier in the last few decades. However, religious majoritarianism and bigotry are posing unprecedented challenges to interfaith marriages and, most importantly, the agency of women. By Neha Dabhade
From Population Control to Reproductive Rights: Feminist Perspectives on Low Fertility Rates in South Korea Article Population policies should be devised within a reproductive justice framework as women’s bodies have been easily objectified and utilised for national development when maternity is only understood as a woman’s duty. South Korea’s current pronatalist approaches have failed to address the real issues of low fertility trend. By Sunhye Kim
Reaping the Demographic Dividend in Pakistan: Education, Skilling and Employment Article Pakistan is in the middle of the demographic transition. The right investment in young people is required to realise the “demographic dividend”. By Mome Saleem
Wag the Dog: The Hydrogen Scheme of South Korea Article As long as hydrogen production relies heavily on fossil fuels, the policy will distract South Korea from its 2050 carbon neutrality strategy and end up emitting enormous additional greenhouse gases. To keep the net-zero pledge on track, South Korea should adopt a renewable-energy based hydrogen scheme by drastically cutting down its reliance on fossil fuels. By Dongjae Oh
Robots for Ageing Societies: A View From Japan Article In Japan, despite the hiking single elderly population, there is a chronic shortage of caregivers for home visit. As many single seniors struggle to find a conversation partner, what about interacting with a robot instead of a human? Recently, the United States introduced communication robots to minimise medical costs incurred from the elderly’s social isolation. What can the world learn from Japan? By Miyako Takagi
Perspectives Asia #11: Transitions Web Dossier Perspectives Asia is a publication series of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung published in cooperation with the offices of the foundation in Asia. With this series, we intend to provide a German and European readership with an understanding of Asian perspectives, as well as an analysis of global trends and greater insights into developments and current political issues across the Asian region. Perspectives Asia focuses mainly on East, Southeast and South Asia where the foundation has established offices.
