Gender Justice
YMCA is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on the genuine involvement of young people. It seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation.
Each member YMCA is therefore called to focus on certain challenges which will be prioritised according to its own contexts- that includes:
• Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.
• Advocating for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights of children
(Excerpts from Challenge 21)
The APAY adheres to the guiding principle of Challenge 21; hence commitment for the Gender Justice remains an integral part and a mandate in the YMCA, especially in the Asia and Pacific region. APAY initiates the promotion of Gender Equity in all levels with a community-specific approach. It affirms that the quest for the elimination of discrimination of gender-based violence and promotion of an inclusive society requires a collaborative undertaking irrespective of sex and gender. The YMCAs will continue to establish an inclusive environment by creating awareness and policies that promote and reflect gender justice and develop a mechanism that addresses gender issues, including sexual harassment. Through the Gender Justice initiatives, APAY increases dialogue and discussions on various perspectives, including the non-binary perspectives of gender.
Gender Justice is one of the main focus of the Quadrennial Program Plan (QPP) of the APAY with the following objectives:
- To cultivate a culture of gender equity and empowerment of women and girls at all levels through the creation of platforms of learning, reflection and exchanges of experiences
- To ensure the development of leadership skills, organizing and advocacy capacities of YMCA constituencies that promote reforms for equal opportunities for all at all levels
YMCA is a world-wide Christian, ecumenical, voluntary movement for women and men with special emphasis on the genuine involvement of young people. It seeks to share the Christian ideal of building a human community of justice with love, peace and reconciliation for the fullness of life for all creation.
Each member YMCA is therefore called to focus on certain challenges which will be prioritised according to its own contexts- that includes:
• Empowering all, especially young people and women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels and working towards an equitable society.
• Advocating for and promoting the rights of women and upholding the rights of children
(Excerpts from Challenge 21)
The APAY adheres to the guiding principle of Challenge 21; hence commitment for the Gender Justice remains an integral part and a mandate in the YMCA, especially in the Asia and Pacific region. APAY initiates the promotion of Gender Equity in all levels with a community-specific approach. It affirms that the quest for the elimination of discrimination of gender-based violence and promotion of an inclusive society requires a collaborative undertaking irrespective of sex and gender. The YMCAs will continue to establish an inclusive environment by creating awareness and policies that promote and reflect gender justice and develop a mechanism that addresses gender issues, including sexual harassment. Through the Gender Justice initiatives, APAY increases dialogue and discussions on various perspectives, including the non-binary perspectives of gender.
Gender Justice is one of the main focus of the Quadrennial Program Plan (QPP) of the APAY with the following objectives:
1 To cultivate a culture of gender equity and empowerment of women and girls at all levels through the creation of platforms of learning, reflection and exchanges of experiences
2 To ensure the development of leadership skills, organizing and advocacy capacities of YMCA constituencies that promote reforms for equal opportunities for all at all levels
UN Commission on the Status of Women
Last Updated (Thursday, 03 March 2022 16:11)
Asia & Pacific Alliance of YMCAs
Gender Equity Committee
International Women’s Day
March 8-31, 2022
#BreakTheBias: Listen to HER Story -Women’s Voices from the Asia Pacific
IWD (International Women’s Day) 2022 campaign theme is #BreakTheBias. The gender equity committee of APAY plans to celebrate IWD in a meaningful way by listening to HER Story: Women’s Voices from the Asia Pacific. This program intends to create a platform for women to bring their voices across the AP region. Their powerful stories will highlight the struggles, challenges, hopes, that would encourage and empower women of the APAY and a broader community. The said program will start from March 8 and will continue until 31st virtually through a YouTube channel. The said program is an opportunity for the women of the APAY to reconnect and build a network to strengthen the work of gender equity within APAY.
Read more: Asia & Pacific Alliance of YMCAs Gender Equity Committee International Women’s Day
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence – International Essay Contest
Last Updated (Friday, 03 December 2021 14:56)
Gender Justice Program
International Essay Contest for Students, Youths & Young Adults
Campaign for 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence
November 25-December 10, 2021
Theme: “Towards a Better World for Women and Girls:
Gender Justice by 2030”
About APAY Gender Justice Program International Essay Contest
Essay writing contests are perfect opportunities for young minds to express and articulate their views, perspectives, creative imagination on diverse social issues and concerns. An avenue for young people to address the problems and dedication towards positive changes in society as responsible community members can make a difference in society. Several international essay competitions are organized worldwide, and many talented participants participate and get awarded every year.
Perhaps this is the first time the Gender Equity Committee (GEC) of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY) is organizing an International Essay Contest through its Gender Justice Program. Annually the GEC observes the 16 days of activism against GBV through various programs and activities at national and regional levels. This year the GEC decided to organize the international essay contest to create awareness on 16 days of activism by mobilizing and engaging the youth through the essay contest. The international essay contest will engage the students, youth and young adults of the Asia and Pacific region. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic with Covid restrictions and protocols, the GEC would like to observe the 16 days of activism meaningfully.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is an annual international campaign that begins on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls, and continues until 10 December, the Human Rights Day. It is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations worldwide to call for the prevention and elimination of violence against women and girls. In support of this civil society initiative, the UN’s UNiTE campaign calls for global actions to End Violence against Women.
The theme for the Essay Contest is “Towards a Better World for Women and Girls: Gender Justice by 2030”
Commitment to Gender Justice remains an integral part of the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs (APAY). The Gender Equity Committee is faithfully working towards promoting Gender Equity at all levels with a community-specific approach is one of the objectives of APAY. With an affirmation to the quest to elimination and discrimination, sexual and gender-based violence for a better and inclusive society is a collective vision of the APAY. It requires a collaborative undertaking irrespective of sex and gender by creating awareness and policies that promote and reflect gender justice at all levels.
Moreover, achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls is one of the goals of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contestants will imagine their world in 2030 from now.
Objectives
- To create awareness, mobilise and engage students, youth, young adults to participate in the 16 days of activism meaningfully
- To create awareness and engage in responding to the UN Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals towards an equal and just world
- To create an avenue for the students, youth and young adults of the APAY to inspire and encourage these young minds to express their creativity and participate in a particular cause in making a difference in society.
Read more: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence – International Essay Contest
Guidelines of the International Essay Contest APAY 2021
Last Updated (Friday, 12 November 2021 17:39)
Read more: Guidelines of the International Essay Contest APAY 2021
Gender Equity Committee (GEC) met to work on the proposed programs of 2021
The Gender Equity Committee members met on May 26, 2021, to work on the proposed programs for the next six months, June - December 2021. The specific programs and activities are:
Read more: Gender Equity Committee (GEC) met to work on the proposed programs of 2021
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