ISSN 0918-8266

Asian Lifestyles〜Photos from KFAW Readers〜Children in Bangkok
Before going home

COVER PROFILE
Ms. Shigeko Koyakumaru
Kyogen Player

I visited Duang Prateep Foundation, which mainly
conducts activities in Klong Toey, the largest slum in
Bangkok. This foundation promotes many welfare programs, such as management of educational foster parent systems and operation of nursery schools. There
are few children in this class because this is for hearing-challenged children. They washed their hands andput baby powder on their face before meals.

Kyogen are brief plays presented ascomic interludes between the somber
dramas that make up the traditional
program of the Noh theatre. The protagonists of Kyogen come from medieval Japanese folklore. They include
a wide range of types, from servants
to priests, which are often drawn inhighly exaggerated terms.
Ms. Koyakumaru started to learn how to perform Kyogen, eventhough this is mainly a man’s world, as well as other Japanesetraditional performing arts including Kabuki and Noh. Ms.
Koyakumaru discovered Kyogen when she was a student. She
was attracted to the informal stage of Kyogen where characters’
unique movements, generous-hearted laughter and ordinary
people’s sense and action are expressed. She enjoys opportunities like cultural festivals to introduce to many people and children the special attraction of Kyogen. She hopes we will be morefamiliar with Kyogen and bring its humor into our life.

KITAKYUSHU FORUM ON ASIAN WOMEN MARCH 2007

Triannual Publication

A little salesclerk
Ms. Yoshiko Misumi, President of Kitakyushu
Forum on Asian WomenWins the Cabinet Office Award for Gender
Equal Society Merit

This is Lama II bazaar which is located in suburbs of
Bangkok. In vegetable shops, salesclerks sit at display
counters, while meat and fish shops are in face-to-facestyles similar to Japan. Thai children often help withhousehold chores, such as care for younger children.
Although children keep running around because they
are bored, adults ignore them and keep eating. This isbecause there are elder brothers and sisters watchingthem. This picture is a scene where a girl helps sellvegetables.
Photographer: Mr. Yoshinori Ohki, Kitakyushu

Location of
Kitakyushu

Beijing Pyongyang

ShanghaiSeoul Osaka Tokyo
Kitakyushu
Fukuoka

KITAKYUSHU OTEMACHI BUILDING 3F
OTEMACHI 11-4, KOKURAKITA, KITAKYUSHU, 803-0814 JAPAN
PHONE＋81-93-583-3434 FAX＋81-93-583-5195

Hong Kong Taipei
Hanoi
Vientiane

Dhaka

Yangon Bangkok

E-mail: kfaw@kfaw.or.jp URL: http://www.kfaw.or.jp/english/index.html

ManilaKFAW

Phnom Penh
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore

Jakarta

Ms. Yoshiko Misumi was presented
an award for her outstanding contribution in the fields of gender equality promotion. She has engaged inpromotion of women’s administration for more than twenty years
throughout the country, as well as
Ms. Misumi
Kitakyushu city, including the founwelcomes attendees
dation of KFAW and Kitakyushu
Municipal Gender Equality Center “MOVE.” Ms. Misumi
expressed her joy in receiving the award: “This prize is
not for me personally but for those who have made an effort to promote a gender equal society. It is a passport tohave a perspective and awareness of gender equality sothat we will be able to live productively in the 21st century.”

Port Moresby

The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) was established in
October of 1990 with a special government fund for revitalization projects.
Subsequently, in 1993, the KFAW was recognized as a foundation by the
Ministry of Labor. The purpose of the KFAW, through various projects, is topromote the improvement of women's status as well as their mutual
understanding and cooperation in Asia.

This trademark means that
Asian Breeze uses 100% recycled paper.

PRINTED WITH

SOY INK
This copy is printed with environment-friendly soy ink.

TM

WOMEN TODAY …………………………

PERUVIAN CHILDREN ………………… 'CURRENT ISSUES SERIES…………… !

THE FORUM WINDOW ………………… 'THE 17th KITAKYUSHUFOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS REPORTS… 

CONFERENCE ON ASIAN WOMEN …

"

REPORT FROM VIETNAM……………… &INFORMATION…………………………… 

NO.

49

MARCH 2007

Current Issues SeriesProfileMr. Atoh is in his present post after working as Direc-

Women
Today 6th East Asian
Women’s Forum

Ms. Zhao Shaohua

Vice President and Memberof the Secretariat of the
All-China Women’s Federation

The 6th East Asian Women’s Forum, organized by
the All-China Women’s Federation was held in Beijing on July 18 and 19, 2006 and brought together atotal of approximately 300 participants from Japan,
South Korea, Mongolia, the Chinese mainland,Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Province of China andNorth Korea . During
the Forum , lively
discussions were held on the main theme: Gender
Equity and Sustainable
Development−
Opportunities , Challenges and Actions of Womenin East Asia in Globalization. There were a total ofsix sub -sessions , at which discussions were heldon the following three sub -themes : Women ’s
Equal Participation in Decision-making and Management, Women’s Equal Participation in Economic
Development, and Creation of an Equal Social Environment for Women’s Development. At the closing ceremony, through great applause, participants
adopted the Declaration of the 6th East Asian
Women’s Forum.
Since the first East Asian Women’s Forum held inJapan in 1994, the forums have provided East
Asian Women with excellent opportunities to exchange views and share experiences.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Gu Xiulian, Vice
Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the AllChina Women’s Foundation, stated that East Asian
women are striving to achieve women’s empowerment, realize gender equity and pioneer a better future society for all people by combining efforts toovercome various challenges in this age of advanced globalization, while also taking advantageof the ample opportunities also made available byglobalization. Ms. Gu expressed her sincere hopethat the 6th Forum would provide new and ideal
opportunities to exchange views, share knowledge
and experiences, strengthen cooperation and partnerships, and develop various projects to empower
East Asian women.
Of the 300 participants in the 6th Forum, 120 werefrom overseas and 180 were from China. To oursurprise, the number of Chinese participants washigher than expected. Among the overseas participants were three representatives from North Korea, including the Vice Chairperson of the Korean
Democratic Women’s Union. Since they were thefirst from North Korea to take part in the Forumseries, we were pleased that the 6th Forum became
the first Forum to enjoy participation by representatives from all East Asian countries and regions.
Moreover, the 6th Forum brought together representatives from national governments, academia,
and grassroots groups.

No.49 March 2007

During the opening ceremony, Ms. Huang Qingyi,
Executive Vice Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under theState Council, delivered a speech, which was followed by a talk by the representative of the participants, Ms. Yasuko Wachi, Professor at Josai International University Institute for Gender &Women’s Studies, from Japan. Next, I gave a presentation regarding the present situation of Chinese women, focusing on women’s participation inpolitical activities, women’s economic activities,
education, healthcare and respect for humanrights. During the plenary session, representatives
from various countries and regions gave presentations on various topics, including women’s employment, housework, women’s studies and so forth.
During the sub-sessions, participants held lively
and straightforward discussions on various topics,
including opportunities for and challenges involved
in women’s participation in political activities andeconomic development, as well as social welfare forwomen, in addition to other thought-provoking issues.
During the closing ceremony, the All-China Women’s Federation presented a gift to the organizer ofthe 7th Forum. Professor Wachi received the gift onbehalf of the next organizer, an embroidered ballcalled a xiuqiu, which is a special product ofGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We presented this ball as a symbol of friendship and solidarity among East Asian women.
At the reception held after the end of the Forum,
participants performed folk songs and dances of
their respective countries/regions. Viewing theirperformances, I was convinced that despite differences in nationality and types of challenges confronting women, we can help each other by maintaining and deepening our friendships, and we canovercome challenges together, however great they
may appear to be. I expect that the 7th East Asian
Women’s Forum in Japan in 2009 will be an evengreater event.

ProfileBorn in 1952. Studied at the Chinese Department
of Beijing Normal University from 1974 to 1977.
After graduation, served as Deputy Secretary of
Tianjin Youth League from 1986 to 1991. Servedin the Information Office of the State Council as
Deputy Director, Director, and Secretary-Generalfrom 1991 to 2001. Transferred to All-China Women’s Federation in 2001. Appointed Vice President
and member of the Secretariat in 2003.

2

tor-General of the National Institute of Population and

Population
and Gender (1)Social Security Research. He has also held positions
as Chair of the UN Commission on Population and Development, President of the Population Association of

Gender Equality
and Falling Birth Rates

Japan and member of the Council on Population Prob-

Mr. Makoto Atohlems.

Professor, Faculty of Human
Sciences, Waseda University

Since the 1990s, there has been a positive correlation
between women’s labor participation rates and total
fertility rates in advanced capitalist countries, including Japan. In other words, birth rates have generally been higher where more women participate in
the workforce than in countries where fewer womenparticipate. For instance, birth rates are higher in
Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, Frenchspeaking European countries, the U.S. and other
English-speaking countries, which all enjoy high labor participation rates by women, as compared toother countries, such as Italy, Spain, other southern
European countries and Japan, where women’s labor
participation rates are lower.
It is generally believed that the more women engage
in public activities, the fewer children are born. It is
commonly recognized that women who receive higher education and continue working tend to marryand give birth later in life, or even not to marry or
have children at all. Since it is difficult for most
women to simultaneously fulfill both occupationaland family responsibilities, many women are urged
to choose between a career or family. In this case, an
economist may say that the “opportunity cost” (thecost of an economic activity foregone by the choice ofanother activity) for a woman who has chosen tohave and raise children is equivalent to the potential
income she would have earned if she had continued
working. This cost increases if a woman is highly
educated, has more employment opportunities, andher income level is closer to that of a man. In actuality, however, many countries with higher women’s labor participation rates maintain higher birth rates
than those with lower rates. Why is this?
In countries where both women’s labor participation
and birth rates are relatively high (hereinafter referred to as “moderately-low fertility countries,” that is,countries with a total fertility rate of at least 1.6),
women’s labor participation rates began increasing
during the 1960s, while birth rates declined. In the
mid-80s, however, birth rates ceased falling andeven grew, despite continued growth in women’s labor participation rates. In contrast, in countries
where both women’s labor participation and birthrates are low, labor rates gradually began growing
during the 1970s, while birth rates began to drop
during the same period. In these countries, birthrates continue to drop rapidly, even though women’slabor participation rates do not sharply increase.

These countries are now categorized as “lowest-low
fertility countries” (countries with a total fertility
rate of 1.3 or lower).
But why are birth rates relatively high in some countries, despite high women’s labor participation rates,
and low in others even though labor rates are not increasing?
Based on historical studies of moderately-low fertility
countries, we can reasonably suppose that birth rates
change in two stages. In the first stage, birth rates
drop as a result of an increase in the number of women participating in public activities on an equal basiswith men. In the second stage, however, birth rates
are no longer affected by these factors. There can bevarious factors that halt the decline in birth rates: inScandinavian countries, for instance, we can attribute this halt to governmental policies promoting
gender equality, and the creation of a society where
both men and women share occupational and family
responsibilities. In the U.S., the upturn in birth rates
may be attributable to efforts on the part of the private sector, including the establishment of private
child-care facilities, parental support programs, andthe creation of flexible labor market systems.
A review of the two stages experienced by moderately-low fertility countries indicates that lowest-low
fertility countries long remain in the first stage.
Thus far, various efforts to increase birth rates havefailed and these countries are unable to enter the
next stage. In these countries, despite relatively low
women’s labor participation rates, birth rates have
dropped sharply to unprecedented levels. Factors inhibiting progress into the second stage could include
deeply embedded stereotypes regarding genderbased roles, social orientation toward male-dominantsystems, enlarged family systems that place highpriority on parent-child relationships, a traditionalview of the family and strong gender-based prejudice. Moreover, such traditional values result in discriminatory systems in private enterprises, minor
roles played by men in housework and child care,and insufficient governmental support policies.
Studies of moderately-low fertility countries indicatethat although promoting gender equality can temporarily decrease birth rates, it eventually shifts upward. Accordingly, we should continue working toachieve gender equality because only through thispath can we recover the present critical birth ratelevel.

3

No.49 March 2007

Current Issues SeriesProfileMr. Atoh is in his present post after working as Direc-

Women
Today 6th East Asian
Women’s Forum

Ms. Zhao Shaohua

Vice President and Memberof the Secretariat of the
All-China Women’s Federation

The 6th East Asian Women’s Forum, organized by
the All-China Women’s Federation was held in Beijing on July 18 and 19, 2006 and brought together atotal of approximately 300 participants from Japan,
South Korea, Mongolia, the Chinese mainland,Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and North Korea. During the Forum, lively discussions were held on themain theme: Gender Equity and Sustainable Development −Opportunities, Challenges and Actions of
Women in East Asia in Globalization. There were atotal of six sub-sessions, at which discussions were
held on the following three sub-themes: Women’s
Equal Participation in Decision-making and Management, Women’s Equal Participation in Economic
Development, and Creation of an Equal Social Environment for Women’s Development. At the closing ceremony, through great applause, participants
adopted the Declaration of the 6th East Asian
Women’s Forum.
Since the first East Asian Women’s Forum held inJapan in 1994, the forums have provided East
Asian Women with excellent opportunities to exchange views and share experiences.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Gu Xiulian, Vice
Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and President of the AllChina Women’s Foundation, stated that East Asian
women are striving to achieve women’s empowerment, realize gender equity and pioneer a better future society for all people by combining efforts toovercome various challenges in this age of advanced globalization, while also taking advantageof the ample opportunities also made available byglobalization. Ms. Gu expressed her sincere hopethat the 6th Forum would provide new and ideal
opportunities to exchange views, share knowledge
and experiences, strengthen cooperation and partnerships, and develop various projects to empower
East Asian women.
Of the 300 participants in the 6th Forum, 120 werefrom overseas and 180 were from China. To oursurprise, the number of Chinese participants washigher than expected. Among the overseas participants were three representatives from North Korea, including the Vice Chairperson of the Korean
Democratic Women’s Union. Since they were thefirst from North Korea to take part in the Forumseries, we were pleased that the 6th Forum became
the first Forum to enjoy participation by representatives from all East Asian countries and regions.
Moreover, the 6th Forum brought together representatives from national governments, academia,
and grassroots groups.

No.49 March 2007

During the opening ceremony, Ms. Huang Qingyi,
Executive Vice Chairperson of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under theState Council, delivered a speech, which was followed by a talk by the representative of the participants, Ms. Yasuko Wachi, Professor at Josai International University Institute for Gender &Women’s Studies, from Japan. Next, I gave a presentation regarding the present situation of Chinese women, focusing on women’s participation inpolitical activities, women’s economic activities,
education, healthcare and respect for humanrights. During the plenary session, representatives
from various countries and regions gave presentations on various topics, including women’s employment, housework, women’s studies and so forth.
During the sub-sessions, participants held lively
and straightforward discussions on various topics,
including opportunities for and challenges involved
in women’s participation in political activities andeconomic development, as well as social welfare forwomen, in addition to other thought-provoking issues.
During the closing ceremony, the All-China Women’s Federation presented a gift to the organizer ofthe 7th Forum. Professor Wachi received the gift onbehalf of the next organizer, an embroidered ballcalled a xiuqiu, which is a special product ofGuangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. We presented this ball as a symbol of friendship and solidarity among East Asian women.
At the reception held after the end of the Forum,
participants performed folk songs and dances of
their respective countries/regions. Viewing theirperformances, I was convinced that despite differences in nationality and types of challenges confronting women, we can help each other by maintaining and deepening our friendships, and we canovercome challenges together, however great they
may appear to be. I expect that the 7th East Asian
Women’s Forum in Japan in 2009 will be an evengreater event.

ProfileBorn in 1952. Studied at the Chinese Department
of Beijing Normal University from 1974 to 1977.
After graduation, served as Deputy Secretary of
Tianjin Youth League from 1986 to 1991. Servedin the Information Office of the State Council as
Deputy Director, Director, and Secretary-Generalfrom 1991 to 2001. Transferred to All-China Women’s Federation in 2001. Appointed Vice President
and member of the Secretariat in 2003.

2

tor-General of the National Institute of Population and

Population
and Gender (1)Social Security Research. He has also held positions
as Chair of the UN Commission on Population and Development, President of the Population Association of

Gender Equality
and Falling Birth Rates

Japan and member of the Council on Population Prob-

Mr. Makoto Atohlems.

Professor, Faculty of Human
Sciences, Waseda University

Since the 1990s, there has been a positive correlation
between women’s labor participation rates and total
fertility rates in advanced capitalist countries, including Japan. In other words, birth rates have generally been higher where more women participate in
the workforce than in countries where fewer womenparticipate. For instance, birth rates are higher in
Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, Frenchspeaking European countries, the U.S. and other
English-speaking countries, which all enjoy high labor participation rates by women, as compared toother countries, such as Italy, Spain, other southern
European countries and Japan, where women’s labor
participation rates are lower.
It is generally believed that the more women engage
in public activities, the fewer children are born. It is
commonly recognized that women who receive higher education and continue working tend to marryand give birth later in life, or even not to marry or
have children at all. Since it is difficult for most
women to simultaneously fulfill both occupationaland family responsibilities, many women are urged
to choose between a career or family. In this case, an
economist may say that the “opportunity cost” (thecost of an economic activity foregone by the choice ofanother activity) for a woman who has chosen tohave and raise children is equivalent to the potential
income she would have earned if she had continued
working. This cost increases if a woman is highly
educated, has more employment opportunities, andher income level is closer to that of a man. In actuality, however, many countries with higher women’s labor participation rates maintain higher birth rates
than those with lower rates. Why is this?
In countries where both women’s labor participation
and birth rates are relatively high (hereinafter referred to as “moderately-low fertility countries,” that is,countries with a total fertility rate of at least 1.6),
women’s labor participation rates began increasing
during the 1960s, while birth rates declined. In the
mid-80s, however, birth rates ceased falling andeven grew, despite continued growth in women’s labor participation rates. In contrast, in countries
where both women’s labor participation and birthrates are low, labor rates gradually began growing
during the 1970s, while birth rates began to drop
during the same period. In these countries, birthrates continue to drop rapidly, even though women’slabor participation rates do not sharply increase.

These countries are now categorized as “lowest-low
fertility countries” (countries with a total fertility
rate of 1.3 or lower).
But why are birth rates relatively high in some countries, despite high women’s labor participation rates,
and low in others even though labor rates are not increasing?
Based on historical studies of moderately-low fertility
countries, we can reasonably suppose that birth rates
change in two stages. In the first stage, birth rates
drop as a result of an increase in the number of women participating in public activities on an equal basiswith men. In the second stage, however, birth rates
are no longer affected by these factors. There can bevarious factors that halt the decline in birth rates: inScandinavian countries, for instance, we can attribute this halt to governmental policies promoting
gender equality, and the creation of a society where
both men and women share occupational and family
responsibilities. In the U.S., the upturn in birth rates
may be attributable to efforts on the part of the private sector, including the establishment of private
child-care facilities, parental support programs, andthe creation of flexible labor market systems.
A review of the two stages experienced by moderately-low fertility countries indicates that lowest-low
fertility countries long remain in the first stage.
Thus far, various efforts to increase birth rates havefailed and these countries are unable to enter the
next stage. In these countries, despite relatively low
women’s labor participation rates, birth rates have
dropped sharply to unprecedented levels. Factors inhibiting progress into the second stage could include
deeply embedded stereotypes regarding genderbased roles, social orientation toward male-dominantsystems, enlarged family systems that place highpriority on parent-child relationships, a traditionalview of the family and strong gender-based prejudice. Moreover, such traditional values result in discriminatory systems in private enterprises, minor
roles played by men in housework and child care,and insufficient governmental support policies.
Studies of moderately-low fertility countries indicatethat although promoting gender equality can temporarily decrease birth rates, it eventually shifts upward. Accordingly, we should continue working toachieve gender equality because only through thispath can we recover the present critical birth ratelevel.

3

No.49 March 2007

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on
Asian Women
Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−What is the Education for Sustainable Development?
Schedule

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women
was held on November 18 and 19, 2006 on thetheme: Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−Whatis the Education for Sustainable Development? A
total of four overseas panelists were invited to theConference from South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore
and Denmark, along with nine from Japan. With reference to studies conducted in Japan and abroad on
the definition of “sustainable development” and thetypes of education necessary for promoting sustainable development, the panelists and the audience
discussed what can be done to create a better society for future generations. The 4th Kitakyushu Environmental Award Ceremony was held concurrently
with the Conference.

Nov. 18 (Sat.)
13:00 - 14:00

The 4th Kitakyushu Environmental Award Ceremony
14:00 - 17:00

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women
Symposium
Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−What is the
Education for Sustainable Development?
Nov. 19 (Sun.)
10:00 - 12:30

Presentation of Research Activity Reports
13:30 - 16:00

International Symposium
Emerging Policies for Migrant Care Workers for the
Elderly in Japan−What Can We Learn from EU and East Asia?−

Video message from Dr. Brundtland

The 4th Kitakyushu
Environmental Award Ceremony
Environmental Award
Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland(Former Chair of the World Commission on
Environment and Development, Former Prime
Minister of Norway)

Special Merit Award
Dr. Masataka Hanashima(Head of the Fukuoka Research Center for
Recycling Systems, Professor Emeritus of
Fukuoka University)

Kitakyushu City established the Kitakyushu Environmental Award as part of its commitment to develop Kitakyushu into a World Capital of Sustainable Development. In addition to commending Japanese and overseas organizations and individuals that have made exceptional contributions to environmental protection,
Kitakyushu City intends to build an extensive network
committed to a broad spectrum of environmental protection activities through this award program.
This year, the fourth Environmental Award was presented to Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, who in 1987 set
forth the concept of “sustainable development,” a strategic concept for global environmental conservation.
The Special Merit Award was presented to Dr. Masataka Hanashima, a leading player in establishing the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Project. Dr. Hanashima is currently committed to human resource development as
director of the Kyushu Environmental Technology Creation Center. Encouragement Awards were presented
to the Takamiya Mariver Foundation for Environmental Protection, the Kankyo Miraijyuku Non-Profit Organization and The Totoro Fund.

Encouragement Awards○ Takamiya Mariver Foundation forEnvironmental Protection○ Kankyo Miraijyuku Non-Profit Organization○ The Totoro Fund

No.49 March 2007

4

Since the themes of previous conferences focused on
specific problems relating to women’s social status in
Japan and Asia, panelists first gave presentations on
the theme from their respective viewpoints in order toprovide an overall understanding.

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on
Asian Women
The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was coorganized by the Kitakyushu
Forum on Asian Women(KFAW) and the Kitakyushu
Education for Sustainable Development Council, following the
4th Kitakyushu Environmental
Ms. Hiroko Hara
Award Ceremony.
The Conference began with greetings by Ms. Hiroko
Hara, Chair of the KFAW. Ms. Hara stated that although the Conference theme, Creating a Just andPlentiful Future, seemed to be a lofty and challenging
goal, we should believe in our own power to realize that
goal. She told the audience that the enthusiasm of
women’s grassroots groups in Kitakyushu had led theCity to overcome environmental pollution, a missionthat was once considered impossible. Ms. Hara also expressed her hope that the participants would give serious consideration to the essential elements to achieve
the goal of the Conference.

Mr. Ryokichi Hirono explained
the concept of sustainable development and its background, as
well as activities currently under way in Japan to promote
education for sustainable development.
Mr. Hirono stressed the vital imMr. Ryokichi Hirono
portance of promoting sustainable development, and urged us to think about various
domestic challenges, such as rapid environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, and growing
income gaps, poverty and social instability. Moreover,
we must also study sustainable development in thecontext of diverse global challenges, including global
warming, desertification, marine pollution, ozone layer
depletion, radically diminishing bio-diversity, terrorism
and regional conflicts.
Next, Mr. Hirono introduced Japan’s action plan, prepared in March 2006 as part of programs under theUnited Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (hereinafter referred to as the “DESD”).
The action plan includes chapters on the participationof various groups/individuals seeking to build a sustainable society, the importance of facilitating integrated social development by simultaneously addressing
environmental and non-environmental challenges, andthe need for international understanding and cooperation.
Mr. Hirono also introduced guidelines to promote ESD,
including community development, place and content
of education, participatory learning approaches, teaching methods, systematic thinking processes and practices, partnerships among individual organizations andperformance evaluation. He stated that individual organizations responsible for ESD should explore theirown methods of implementing ESD and promote publicawareness.

Following the greetings by Ms.
Hara, Ms. Katae Terasaka, representative of the Kitakyushu
Education for Sustainable Development Council, delivered aspeech, in which she stated that
education for sustainable development, the theme of the ConMs. Katae Terasaka
ference, refers not just to school
education, but to all types of educational programs.
She emphasized the importance of concerted efforts on
the part of citizens to hand down a better environment
to future generations. She also encouraged the audience to review their daily lives from the perspective ofenvironmental protection, and to initiate whatevermeasures they can toward environmental preservation.

○Symposium
Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−What is the
Education for Sustainable Development?
Coordinator:
Ms. Yoshiko Misumi, President of Kitakyushu
Forum on Asian Women
Panelists:○Mr. Ryokichi Hirono, Director of KITA
Environmental Cooperation Center, Professor
Emeritus of Seikei University○Mr. Katsunori Suzuki, Senior Researcher of
UNU-IAS○Mr. Osamu Abe, Professor of Rikkyo
University, Representative of ESD-J○Ms. Park Eun-kyong, Director of Environment
and Culture Institute, South Korea○Ms. Salfarina Abdul Gapor, Lecturer ofUniversiti Sains Malaysia

Mr. Katsunori Suzuki, reported
on United Nations ESD activities. To start, he explained
about the DESD for the period
2005 - 2014 during which various programs are being carriedout under the leadership of UNESCO. According to Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Katsunori Suzuki
the national governments of individual countries must compile their own action plans,on the basis of the International Implementation
Scheme on the DESD. Mr. Suzuki explained that theInternational Implementation Scheme sets forth a vision for the DESD which states that social systems
should be established to provide people all over theworld with access to high-quality education and opportunities to learn about values essential to creating sus-

5No.49 March 2007

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on
Asian Women
Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−What is the Education for Sustainable Development?
Schedule

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women
was held on November 18 and 19, 2006 on thetheme: Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−Whatis the Education for Sustainable Development? A
total of four overseas panelists were invited to theConference from South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore
and Denmark, along with nine from Japan. With reference to studies conducted in Japan and abroad on
the definition of “sustainable development” and thetypes of education necessary for promoting sustainable development, the panelists and the audience
discussed what can be done to create a better society for future generations. The 4th Kitakyushu Environmental Award Ceremony was held concurrently
with the Conference.

Nov. 18 (Sat.)
13:00 - 14:00

The 4th Kitakyushu Environmental Award Ceremony
14:00 - 17:00

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women
Symposium
Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−What is the
Education for Sustainable Development?
Nov. 19 (Sun.)
10:00 - 12:30

Presentation of Research Activity Reports
13:30 - 16:00

International Symposium
Emerging Policies for Migrant Care Workers for the
Elderly in Japan−What Can We Learn from EU and East Asia?−

Video message from Dr. Brundtland

The 4th Kitakyushu
Environmental Award Ceremony
Environmental Award
Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland(Former Chair of the World Commission on
Environment and Development, Former Prime
Minister of Norway)

Special Merit Award
Dr. Masataka Hanashima(Head of the Fukuoka Research Center for
Recycling Systems, Professor Emeritus of
Fukuoka University)

Kitakyushu City established the Kitakyushu Environmental Award as part of its commitment to develop Kitakyushu into a World Capital of Sustainable Development. In addition to commending Japanese and overseas organizations and individuals that have made exceptional contributions to environmental protection,
Kitakyushu City intends to build an extensive network
committed to a broad spectrum of environmental protection activities through this award program.
This year, the fourth Environmental Award was presented to Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, who in 1987 set
forth the concept of “sustainable development,” a strategic concept for global environmental conservation.
The Special Merit Award was presented to Dr. Masataka Hanashima, a leading player in establishing the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Project. Dr. Hanashima is currently committed to human resource development as
director of the Kyushu Environmental Technology Creation Center. Encouragement Awards were presented
to the Takamiya Mariver Foundation for Environmental Protection, the Kankyo Miraijyuku Non-Profit Organization and The Totoro Fund.

Encouragement Awards○ Takamiya Mariver Foundation forEnvironmental Protection○ Kankyo Miraijyuku Non-Profit Organization○ The Totoro Fund

No.49 March 2007

4

Since the themes of previous conferences focused on
specific problems relating to women’s social status in
Japan and Asia, panelists first gave presentations on
the theme from their respective viewpoints in order toprovide an overall understanding.

The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on
Asian Women
The 17th Kitakyushu Conference on Asian Women was coorganized by the Kitakyushu
Forum on Asian Women(KFAW) and the Kitakyushu
Education for Sustainable Development Council, following the
4th Kitakyushu Environmental
Ms. Hiroko Hara
Award Ceremony.
The Conference began with greetings by Ms. Hiroko
Hara, Chair of the KFAW. Ms. Hara stated that although the Conference theme, Creating a Just andPlentiful Future, seemed to be a lofty and challenging
goal, we should believe in our own power to realize that
goal. She told the audience that the enthusiasm of
women’s grassroots groups in Kitakyushu had led theCity to overcome environmental pollution, a missionthat was once considered impossible. Ms. Hara also expressed her hope that the participants would give serious consideration to the essential elements to achieve
the goal of the Conference.

Mr. Ryokichi Hirono explained
the concept of sustainable development and its background, as
well as activities currently under way in Japan to promote
education for sustainable development.
Mr. Hirono stressed the vital imMr. Ryokichi Hirono
portance of promoting sustainable development, and urged us to think about various
domestic challenges, such as rapid environmental degradation, depletion of natural resources, and growing
income gaps, poverty and social instability. Moreover,
we must also study sustainable development in thecontext of diverse global challenges, including global
warming, desertification, marine pollution, ozone layer
depletion, radically diminishing bio-diversity, terrorism
and regional conflicts.
Next, Mr. Hirono introduced Japan’s action plan, prepared in March 2006 as part of programs under theUnited Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable
Development (hereinafter referred to as the “DESD”).
The action plan includes chapters on the participationof various groups/individuals seeking to build a sustainable society, the importance of facilitating integrated social development by simultaneously addressing
environmental and non-environmental challenges, andthe need for international understanding and cooperation.
Mr. Hirono also introduced guidelines to promote ESD,
including community development, place and content
of education, participatory learning approaches, teaching methods, systematic thinking processes and practices, partnerships among individual organizations andperformance evaluation. He stated that individual organizations responsible for ESD should explore theirown methods of implementing ESD and promote publicawareness.

Following the greetings by Ms.
Hara, Ms. Katae Terasaka, representative of the Kitakyushu
Education for Sustainable Development Council, delivered aspeech, in which she stated that
education for sustainable development, the theme of the ConMs. Katae Terasaka
ference, refers not just to school
education, but to all types of educational programs.
She emphasized the importance of concerted efforts on
the part of citizens to hand down a better environment
to future generations. She also encouraged the audience to review their daily lives from the perspective ofenvironmental protection, and to initiate whatevermeasures they can toward environmental preservation.

○Symposium
Creating a Just and Plentiful Future−What is the
Education for Sustainable Development?
Coordinator:
Ms. Yoshiko Misumi, President of Kitakyushu
Forum on Asian Women
Panelists:○Mr. Ryokichi Hirono, Director of KITA
Environmental Cooperation Center, Professor
Emeritus of Seikei University○Mr. Katsunori Suzuki, Senior Researcher of
UNU-IAS○Mr. Osamu Abe, Professor of Rikkyo
University, Representative of ESD-J○Ms. Park Eun-kyong, Director of Environment
and Culture Institute, South Korea○Ms. Salfarina Abdul Gapor, Lecturer ofUniversiti Sains Malaysia

Mr. Katsunori Suzuki, reported
on United Nations ESD activities. To start, he explained
about the DESD for the period
2005 - 2014 during which various programs are being carriedout under the leadership of UNESCO. According to Mr. Suzuki, Mr. Katsunori Suzuki
the national governments of individual countries must compile their own action plans,on the basis of the International Implementation
Scheme on the DESD. Mr. Suzuki explained that theInternational Implementation Scheme sets forth a vision for the DESD which states that social systems
should be established to provide people all over theworld with access to high-quality education and opportunities to learn about values essential to creating sus-

5No.49 March 2007

tainable societies. ESD should be the type of educationthat helps develop human resources by reorienting
people toward creating sustainable societies, and building their capacity.
To promote the DESD, he said that the United Nations
has already launched Sustainable Development Programs, major elements of which include promoting
public awareness of ESD, establishing regional centersin various parts of the world, reinforcing ESD activities
by advanced educational institutes, developing online
education and training teachers.
Moreover, the United Nations suggests that Regional
Centers of Expertise (hereinafter referred to as “RCE”)
be established. RCE will serve as platforms for exchanging views and sharing experiences relating to various ESD activities. As of November 2006, there were
RCEs in 12 regions in the world.

Following the Japanese panelists, speakers from Tongyong, South Korea and Penang, Malaysia introduced
activities in their respective regions, both of which havebeen acknowledged as RCEs by UNU and UNESCO.
Ms. Park Eun-kyong reported on
the activities of Tongyong City,
which was designated an RCE in
October 2005. In Tongyong, Ms.
Park said, the City authority
plays a leading role in ESD programs. The USD 20 million project of the RCE is primarily funMs. Park Eun-kyong
ded by the City, with financial
support from the South Korean national government.
Although Tongyong is a small city with a population of
only 130,000, 80% of the population is currently involved in RCE programs. Ms. Park said that the ultimate goal of Tongyong’s commitment to ESD activities
is to create an economically, ecologically and sociallysustainable society. For instance, the City has designated two model schools, where ESD programs are underway. In the near future, the City intends to include allits elementary and high schools within the RCE framework. While providing teachers with ESD training, theCity also offers regular educational programs to staff
members of the City government to reorient their efforts toward sustainable development. As future tasks,
Ms. Park mentioned that the City should build partnerships and networks with other RCEs elsewhere in
the world, in addition to expanding the RCE from Tongyong to all of South Korea, and eventually to the AsiaPacific region and on a global basis.

Mr. Osamu Abe gave a presentation on initiatives taken by various NGOs/NPOs. He first explained the historical relations
between the DESD and NGOs,
stating that the DESD is abrainchild of Japanese NGOs.
According to Mr. Abe, in 2001, a
Mr. Osamu Abeyear before the World Summit
for Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg in September 2002, various NGOs and NPOs
in Japan formed the Japan Forum for Johannesburg(JFJ) with an aim to contribute to the Summit. The
JFJ submitted the idea of the DESD to the Japanese
government, which proposed this idea at WSSD jointlywith JFJ. Shortly after the Summit, the 57th sessionof the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the
proposal of the Japanese government and declared the
Decade of Education for Sustainable Development,
which commenced on January 2005. Although the JFJ
was subsequently disbanded, NGO members in turnestablished the Japanese Council on the UN Decade of
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD-J), withan aim to promote DESD activities.
During the first half of the ‘90s, although there weremany NGOs committed to ESD activities, these NGOs
seldom entered into partnership. After the concept ofsustainable development became widespread among
the NGOs, however, they began forming partnerships
and networks. With the DESD under way, membership in the ESD-J now stands at more than 100.
The objectives of the ESD-J include networking individuals and organizations in Japan that promote publicawareness of social problems. Other missions of ESD-J
include proposing policies to the national government
and implementing policies with the government as its
partner, building an appropriate system to enable more
NGOs to participate in programs for building sustainable societies, reporting and publicizing activities ofJapanese NGOs and the national government to international organizations, and building schemes to develop human resources capable of promoting DESD campaigns globally.

No.49 March 2007

Following the report on
South Korea, Ms. Salfarina Abdul Gapor reported
on the RCE in Penang,which was designated an
RCE in June 2005. The
Universiti Sains Malaysia
is the major functionary.
Ms. Salfarina Abdul Gapor
Following RCE certification, Ms. Abdul Gapor said that local people’s ideas
have changed. Before certification they had been largely concerned with what sustainable development was,but now they are more concerned with how to realize it.
As a result, the focus of RCE programs has changed
from “education about sustainable development” to“education toward sustainable development.”
Under Penang RCE programs, efforts are under way toensure all people access to education, and to introduce
online education. Ms. Abdul Gapor emphasized that
education should place priority on encouraging students to review their own ways of life, learn altruism so
as to benefit others, and develop a proactive attitude toward life. Penang’s RCE programs comprise short, medium and long-term activities. Short-term activities include campaigns to promote public awareness, andtraining to prepare educational programs; mediumterm activities are comprised of modifications of educational programs and program evaluation activities.

6

Female Workers in Japanese Enterprises in Dalian City, China: Their Working Conditions andCooperative Education

Long-term activities include development of usefultools for self-evaluation, together with the creation of
an information center to build a database and initiate
data provision services.
In conclusion, Ms. Abdul Gapor stated that in addition
to ESD, there is another important issue that we must
discuss: women and development. She stressed the importance of implementing development programs
based on full recognition of the great diversity amongpeople.

Ms. Toshiko Hirata, Professor of Kyushu Women’s Junior College

The Problems of Japanese Society from theViewpoints of East Asian Female Victims Trafficked to Japan
Mr. Akihiko Morita, Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology(See Research Report in Asian Breeze Vol. 48 for details)

Panelists’ presentations were followed by a Q&A session. Regarding the differences between ESD activities
and conventional environmental protection activities,
one audience member suggested that conventional
NGO activities lacked exchange with other organizations, and that without exchange between various
groups, it was difficult for NGO members to develop a
broader perspectives. Another stated that each NGO
should recognize its own position and role in the greater movement for promoting sustainable development.
Still another mentioned that in order to promote community development through concerted efforts, different NGOs should stand on an equal footing, howeverdifficult it may be.

○International Symposium:
Emerging Policies for Migrant Care Workers for the Elderly
in Japan−What Can We Learn from EU and East Asia?−

The Symposium was effective in imparting knowledge
about sustainable development and related educational
issues to audience members, who previously had only avague image about these issues. It is our sincere hopethat this Symposium has stimulated audience members’ interest in ESD, inspiring them to participate inactivities to develop a sustainable society in Kitakyushu that we can proudly hand down to our future
generations.

In Japan, because of the rapidly aging population, a serious labor shortage is predicted in the near future,
particularly among nurses and care workers for the elderly.
The organizers invited panelists from Denmark andSingapore to this symposium, both of which host migrant workers from abroad. Together with Japanese
specialists engaged in elderly care, the overseas panelists held discussions on the ideal approach to establish
good relations between non-Japanese care workers andelderly Japanese patients, their families and the managers of facilities for the elderly.
Symposium participants pointed out various challenges that must be overcome by non-Japanese care workers in order to work in Japan. Of those, the major challenges are posed by communication problems arisingfrom language and cultural barriers. At the sametime, it was pointed out that the host country must
prepare appropriate legal systems, training systems
and systems for maintaining appropriate wage levels
and other working conditions for non-Japanese workers.
To overcome the various challenges involved in hostingcare workers from abroad, it is essential to combine theefforts of the host country governments, facility managers, Japanese and non-Japanese care workers, careservice recipients and their families. Symposium participants concluded that Japanese people should not
simply expect overseas care workers to learn and understand Japanese culture and customs. Equally important are the efforts put forth by Japanese people torespect care workers’ human rights, and to understandtheir cultural and social backgrounds.

○Presentation of Research Activity Reports
Since 2005, KFAW has promoted research programs byguest researchers. In 2006, the final year of the research program, researchers gave presentations on the
results of their research, so as to share with audiences
their study outcomes and exchange ideas.
Development of Rights-Based Approach and
Women’s Empowerment in Asia
Ms. Hiroko Hashimoto, Professor of Jumonji University
Ms. Atsuko Miwa, Researcher of Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute

7

No.49 March 2007

tainable societies. ESD should be the type of educationthat helps develop human resources by reorienting
people toward creating sustainable societies, and building their capacity.
To promote the DESD, he said that the United Nations
has already launched Sustainable Development Programs, major elements of which include promoting
public awareness of ESD, establishing regional centersin various parts of the world, reinforcing ESD activities
by advanced educational institutes, developing online
education and training teachers.
Moreover, the United Nations suggests that Regional
Centers of Expertise (hereinafter referred to as “RCE”)
be established. RCE will serve as platforms for exchanging views and sharing experiences relating to various ESD activities. As of November 2006, there were
RCEs in 12 regions in the world.

Following the Japanese panelists, speakers from Tongyong, South Korea and Penang, Malaysia introduced
activities in their respective regions, both of which havebeen acknowledged as RCEs by UNU and UNESCO.
Ms. Park Eun-kyong reported on
the activities of Tongyong City,
which was designated an RCE in
October 2005. In Tongyong, Ms.
Park said, the City authority
plays a leading role in ESD programs. The USD 20 million project of the RCE is primarily funMs. Park Eun-kyong
ded by the City, with financial
support from the South Korean national government.
Although Tongyong is a small city with a population of
only 130,000, 80% of the population is currently involved in RCE programs. Ms. Park said that the ultimate goal of Tongyong’s commitment to ESD activities
is to create an economically, ecologically and sociallysustainable society. For instance, the City has designated two model schools, where ESD programs are underway. In the near future, the City intends to include allits elementary and high schools within the RCE framework. While providing teachers with ESD training, theCity also offers regular educational programs to staff
members of the City government to reorient their efforts toward sustainable development. As future tasks,
Ms. Park mentioned that the City should build partnerships and networks with other RCEs elsewhere in
the world, in addition to expanding the RCE from Tongyong to all of South Korea, and eventually to the AsiaPacific region and on a global basis.

Mr. Osamu Abe gave a presentation on initiatives taken by various NGOs/NPOs. He first explained the historical relations
between the DESD and NGOs,
stating that the DESD is abrainchild of Japanese NGOs.
According to Mr. Abe, in 2001, a
Mr. Osamu Abeyear before the World Summit
for Sustainable Development (WSSD), held in Johannesburg in September 2002, various NGOs and NPOs
in Japan formed the Japan Forum for Johannesburg(JFJ) with an aim to contribute to the Summit. The
JFJ submitted the idea of the DESD to the Japanese
government, which proposed this idea at WSSD jointlywith JFJ. Shortly after the Summit, the 57th sessionof the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the
proposal of the Japanese government and declared the
Decade of Education for Sustainable Development,
which commenced on January 2005. Although the JFJ
was subsequently disbanded, NGO members in turnestablished the Japanese Council on the UN Decade of
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD-J), withan aim to promote DESD activities.
During the first half of the ‘90s, although there weremany NGOs committed to ESD activities, these NGOs
seldom entered into partnership. After the concept ofsustainable development became widespread among
the NGOs, however, they began forming partnerships
and networks. With the DESD under way, membership in the ESD-J now stands at more than 100.
The objectives of the ESD-J include networking individuals and organizations in Japan that promote publicawareness of social problems. Other missions of ESD-J
include proposing policies to the national government
and implementing policies with the government as its
partner, building an appropriate system to enable more
NGOs to participate in programs for building sustainable societies, reporting and publicizing activities ofJapanese NGOs and the national government to international organizations, and building schemes to develop human resources capable of promoting DESD campaigns globally.

No.49 March 2007

Following the report on
South Korea, Ms. Salfarina Abdul Gapor reported
on the RCE in Penang,which was designated an
RCE in June 2005. The
Universiti Sains Malaysia
is the major functionary.
Ms. Salfarina Abdul Gapor
Following RCE certification, Ms. Abdul Gapor said that local people’s ideas
have changed. Before certification they had been largely concerned with what sustainable development was,but now they are more concerned with how to realize it.
As a result, the focus of RCE programs has changed
from “education about sustainable development” to“education toward sustainable development.”
Under Penang RCE programs, efforts are under way toensure all people access to education, and to introduce
online education. Ms. Abdul Gapor emphasized that
education should place priority on encouraging students to review their own ways of life, learn altruism so
as to benefit others, and develop a proactive attitude toward life. Penang’s RCE programs comprise short, medium and long-term activities. Short-term activities include campaigns to promote public awareness, andtraining to prepare educational programs; mediumterm activities are comprised of modifications of educational programs and program evaluation activities.

6

Female Workers in Japanese Enterprises in Dalian City, China: Their Working Conditions andCooperative Education

Long-term activities include development of usefultools for self-evaluation, together with the creation of
an information center to build a database and initiate
data provision services.
In conclusion, Ms. Abdul Gapor stated that in addition
to ESD, there is another important issue that we must
discuss: women and development. She stressed the importance of implementing development programs
based on full recognition of the great diversity amongpeople.

Ms. Toshiko Hirata, Professor of Kyushu Women’s Junior College

The Problems of Japanese Society from theViewpoints of East Asian Female Victims Trafficked to Japan
Mr. Akihiko Morita, Professor of Tokyo Institute of Technology(See Research Report in Asian Breeze Vol. 48 for details)

Panelists’ presentations were followed by a Q&A session. Regarding the differences between ESD activities
and conventional environmental protection activities,
one audience member suggested that conventional
NGO activities lacked exchange with other organizations, and that without exchange between various
groups, it was difficult for NGO members to develop a
broader perspectives. Another stated that each NGO
should recognize its own position and role in the greater movement for promoting sustainable development.
Still another mentioned that in order to promote community development through concerted efforts, different NGOs should stand on an equal footing, howeverdifficult it may be.

○International Symposium:
Emerging Policies for Migrant Care Workers for the Elderly
in Japan−What Can We Learn from EU and East Asia?−

The Symposium was effective in imparting knowledge
about sustainable development and related educational
issues to audience members, who previously had only avague image about these issues. It is our sincere hopethat this Symposium has stimulated audience members’ interest in ESD, inspiring them to participate inactivities to develop a sustainable society in Kitakyushu that we can proudly hand down to our future
generations.

In Japan, because of the rapidly aging population, a serious labor shortage is predicted in the near future,
particularly among nurses and care workers for the elderly.
The organizers invited panelists from Denmark andSingapore to this symposium, both of which host migrant workers from abroad. Together with Japanese
specialists engaged in elderly care, the overseas panelists held discussions on the ideal approach to establish
good relations between non-Japanese care workers andelderly Japanese patients, their families and the managers of facilities for the elderly.
Symposium participants pointed out various challenges that must be overcome by non-Japanese care workers in order to work in Japan. Of those, the major challenges are posed by communication problems arisingfrom language and cultural barriers. At the sametime, it was pointed out that the host country must
prepare appropriate legal systems, training systems
and systems for maintaining appropriate wage levels
and other working conditions for non-Japanese workers.
To overcome the various challenges involved in hostingcare workers from abroad, it is essential to combine theefforts of the host country governments, facility managers, Japanese and non-Japanese care workers, careservice recipients and their families. Symposium participants concluded that Japanese people should not
simply expect overseas care workers to learn and understand Japanese culture and customs. Equally important are the efforts put forth by Japanese people torespect care workers’ human rights, and to understandtheir cultural and social backgrounds.

○Presentation of Research Activity Reports
Since 2005, KFAW has promoted research programs byguest researchers. In 2006, the final year of the research program, researchers gave presentations on the
results of their research, so as to share with audiences
their study outcomes and exchange ideas.
Development of Rights-Based Approach and
Women’s Empowerment in Asia
Ms. Hiroko Hashimoto, Professor of Jumonji University
Ms. Atsuko Miwa, Researcher of Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute

7

No.49 March 2007

Production of Educational Videos for Promoting
International Understanding

KFAW produces educational videos on various
countries with the aim of fostering global perspectives among Japanese elementary and junior high school students. To date, KFAW has produced six videos: China and Sri Lanka, South
Korea and Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia,
and Australia, which introduce Japanese children to the
profiles of respective countries with a particular focus onchildren’s daily lives. For the seventh production in theseries, KFAW plans to produce a video on Vietnam in
July 2007.
Since the videos are designed for use at schools, the production projects involve practicing schoolteachers. The
project team of the video on Vietnam, for instance, included four elementary school teachers who visited Vietnam
for a week with other team members in August 2006. During their stay in Vietnam, the team visited local elementary and junior high schools, Vietnamese homes, and an
NGO helping victims of Agent Orange and World Heritage
sites, as well as several sites of the Vietnam War in orderto learn about Vietnamese culture and history. The production team is striving to produce an interesting and inspiring video so that Japanese children will be able toshare the excitement with project team members.

Report from Vietnam▲First grade class in Cu Chi

In Hanoi, the project team members visited the family of
Ms. Tram Anh, a fourth-year student of Chu Van An JuniorHigh School, who is currently studying Japanese. She explained the daily
routines of typical
Vietnamese juniorhigh school students to the teammembers and herparents also discussed their viewson education.
▲With Ms. Tram Anh’s family andJapanese teachers

In southern Vietnam, the project team members visited an elementary
school founded by a Japanese NPO, Niigata International Volunteer Center, in a joint effort with the Women’s Charity Association Ho chi Minh. Thisschool is located in the Cu Chi
District in the suburbs of Ho Chi
Minh. Although the project teamvisited the school during the summer vacation, they were given opportunities to observe three classes at the school, and ask teachers about the Vietnamese educational system.
▲With elementary school teachersin Cu Chi

Ms. Teruko Hiroishi (Ibori Elementary)
Although I was surprised to see more cars and motorcycles than I
had expected, I found that in Vietnam time passed slowly and I
was able to relax to my heart’s content. I enjoyed visiting the cities and towns with their unique natural environments, lifestyles,
cultures and histories. Despite differences in cultural and social
backgrounds between Japan and
Vietnam, I confirmed that we all
have the same human nature.
Meeting Vietnamese people who
never give up their dreams, I
learned the importance of embracing one’s own dream.

Ms. Masako Fujii (Koishi Elementary)“Please promise that you will never engage in war, any war. We
hate Agent Orange; we hate nuclear weaponry. We want peace.”
This is a passage from the picture book, Letters from Viet and Duc (conjoined twins born in the eighties). During my visit to Vietnam, I
was deeply impressed by the Vietnamese people’s earnest quest
for peace, together with their untiring efforts to enjoy their lives. I
really hope that the video fully imparts to Japanese children the
Vietnamese people’s strong desire
for peace and their amazing enthusiasm for leading a happy life.

Mr. Yukihiko Sugimoto (Dairi-Minami Elementary)

Ms. Ayako Oishi (Tenraiji Elementary)

I was surprised to see that Hanoi was so busy and lively. The
great number of motorcycles particularly overwhelmed me. I was
indeed astonished to see three women riding on the same motorcycle, traveling at amazingly highspeeds. Although this might cause
traffic accidents in Japan, in Vietnam, riders and pedestrians maintain eye contact with each other toavoid accidents. What a wonderfulcountry!

During my visit to Vietnam, I learned the vital importance of building a peaceful world. I learned that many Vietnamese people arestill suffering from the lingering effects of the Vietnam War. If a
war torments people so much, andfor so long, what is the good of it? I
was also deeply impressed by theclose family ties of Vietnamese
people. I believe that peace-building activities should begin withcompassion for the people closest
to you, such as family members.

No.49 March 2007

8

PERUVIAN CHILDREN:
OUR BEST PRIORITY

THE FORUM WINDOW

Ms. Carmen Ledesma, foreign correspondent in
Peru, sent KFAW a report about Peruvian children.
How about Peru?

Co-existence with Migrant Workers
Today, more and more people are working overseas
and this trend will accelerate with the conclusion ofvarious trade agreements. For example, in September 2006, the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed, which enables
Filipino nurses and care givers to work in Japan.
The EPA with the Indonesian government, which
was agreed upon in November 2006, also includes aclause about the migration of nurses and care givers.
Last August, I had a chance to visit a private nursing college in the Philippines, which had cuttingedge medical equipment, advanced facilities, andlectures provided in English. These special facilities
and education are a response to the students whoplan to work overseas after graduating from college.
Nurses who are already practicing at hospitals also
expressed a strong desire to work overseas. For example, one young male nurse, who was working at
a government-run hospital in Manila, said to mewith a happy smile, “In half a year, I will become
eligible to apply to work overseas. If I get a job in
the U.S., I can earn ten times what I earn now.” Heneeded to wait six months because anyone who was
educated at a governmental nursing college was obligated to work at least three years for a governmental hospital in the Philippines.
In this age of globalization, it is natural that people
seek work overseas for higher incomes and betterworking conditions. However, in spite of the increase in the move of people at the global level,
there remain many problems, especially regarding
migrant workers. Will their human rights be respected in the host countries? Will they be given
sufficient wages? Could the presence of low-wage
migrant workers have a negative impact on theircounterparts in their host countries? In their homecountries, on the other hand, migration can cause
various problems, including “brain drains,” labor
shortages and dissolution of families. In fact, it isreported that several countries in Africa are suffering from a serious shortage of nurses, while the
British government promotes policies to employ
nurses from overseas. In Japan, some small andmedium-sized companies have allegedly been employing overseas “trainees” as a source of cheap labor.
To prevent such ethical problems and to ensurethat both migrant workers and people in the hostcountries enjoy working/accepting migrants, morestudies and surveys on migrant workers from a human rights perspective are needed, as well as advocacy activities based on these studies.

The Peruvian Constitution of 1993 states that:“The community andthe State protect particularly the child, theadolescent...” We also
have broad legal frameworks, as well as a Code for Children and Adolescents, which has been modified several
times, intending to improve the situation.
Peru is a young country with a large poor population,
mostly formed of children and adolescents. Inhabitants
under the age of 18 comprise 40% of the total population(10,617,000 in 2001).
Poverty has persisted for many decades. Several studies
about poverty have concluded that its effects on children
and adolescents are many times irreversible. At the socio-economic level, poverty severely restricts the equalityof present and future opportunities. Its impact is shownin mortality rates, morbidity, malnutrition, child work,and school performance.
54.8% of the population live in poor conditions, while
24.4% live in extreme poverty. Furthermore, 40.4% ofpoor family members are under the age of 15. Thismeans that, children and adolescents constitute themost excluded group in Peruvian society and therefore,are vulnerable and at higher risk.
To modify indicators concerning childhood and adolescence in Peru, it is certain that sustained and coordinated work is necessary, as well as consistent and sufficient investment. In this regard, it was imperative to develop a National Action Plan as a strategic tool of theState.
In 2002, Peru designed The National Action Plan forChildren and Adolescents 2002-2010 as a result of thecoordinated efforts of the government and civil society.
The supporting arguments of the Plan respond to thebasic needs of Peruvian children and adolescents, andrespect their culture, gender, and characteristics.
A diagnosis of the situation, which is the basis of theelaboration of the Plan, includes alarming indicators on
poverty, malnutrition, labor exploitation, family and social violence, low educational levels of rural girls, adolescent pregnancy, and others. These are the problems wemust consider in order to achieve the full recognition of
the human rights
of Peruvian children and adolescents, and thus,
guarantee theirpersonal and social development.

Ms. Yukiko Oda
Professor, The Japanese Red Cross Kyushu International
College of Nursing / Chief Researcher, KFAW

9No.49 March 2007

Production of Educational Videos for Promoting
International Understanding

KFAW produces educational videos on various
countries with the aim of fostering global perspectives among Japanese elementary and junior high school students. To date, KFAW has produced six videos: China and Sri Lanka, South
Korea and Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia,
and Australia, which introduce Japanese children to the
profiles of respective countries with a particular focus onchildren’s daily lives. For the seventh production in theseries, KFAW plans to produce a video on Vietnam in
July 2007.
Since the videos are designed for use at schools, the production projects involve practicing schoolteachers. The
project team of the video on Vietnam, for instance, included four elementary school teachers who visited Vietnam
for a week with other team members in August 2006. During their stay in Vietnam, the team visited local elementary and junior high schools, Vietnamese homes, and an
NGO helping victims of Agent Orange and World Heritage
sites, as well as several sites of the Vietnam War in orderto learn about Vietnamese culture and history. The production team is striving to produce an interesting and inspiring video so that Japanese children will be able toshare the excitement with project team members.

Report from Vietnam▲First grade class in Cu Chi

In Hanoi, the project team members visited the family of
Ms. Tram Anh, a fourth-year student of Chu Van An JuniorHigh School, who is currently studying Japanese. She explained the daily
routines of typical
Vietnamese juniorhigh school students to the teammembers and herparents also discussed their viewson education.
▲With Ms. Tram Anh’s family andJapanese teachers

In southern Vietnam, the project team members visited an elementary
school founded by a Japanese NPO, Niigata International Volunteer Center, in a joint effort with the Women’s Charity Association Ho chi Minh. Thisschool is located in the Cu Chi
District in the suburbs of Ho Chi
Minh. Although the project teamvisited the school during the summer vacation, they were given opportunities to observe three classes at the school, and ask teachers about the Vietnamese educational system.
▲With elementary school teachersin Cu Chi

Ms. Teruko Hiroishi (Ibori Elementary)
Although I was surprised to see more cars and motorcycles than I
had expected, I found that in Vietnam time passed slowly and I
was able to relax to my heart’s content. I enjoyed visiting the cities and towns with their unique natural environments, lifestyles,
cultures and histories. Despite differences in cultural and social
backgrounds between Japan and
Vietnam, I confirmed that we all
have the same human nature.
Meeting Vietnamese people who
never give up their dreams, I
learned the importance of embracing one’s own dream.

Ms. Masako Fujii (Koishi Elementary)“Please promise that you will never engage in war, any war. We
hate Agent Orange; we hate nuclear weaponry. We want peace.”
This is a passage from the picture book, Letters from Viet and Duc (conjoined twins born in the eighties). During my visit to Vietnam, I
was deeply impressed by the Vietnamese people’s earnest quest
for peace, together with their untiring efforts to enjoy their lives. I
really hope that the video fully imparts to Japanese children the
Vietnamese people’s strong desire
for peace and their amazing enthusiasm for leading a happy life.

Mr. Yukihiko Sugimoto (Dairi-Minami Elementary)

Ms. Ayako Oishi (Tenraiji Elementary)

I was surprised to see that Hanoi was so busy and lively. The
great number of motorcycles particularly overwhelmed me. I was
indeed astonished to see three women riding on the same motorcycle, traveling at amazingly highspeeds. Although this might cause
traffic accidents in Japan, in Vietnam, riders and pedestrians maintain eye contact with each other toavoid accidents. What a wonderfulcountry!

During my visit to Vietnam, I learned the vital importance of building a peaceful world. I learned that many Vietnamese people arestill suffering from the lingering effects of the Vietnam War. If a
war torments people so much, andfor so long, what is the good of it? I
was also deeply impressed by theclose family ties of Vietnamese
people. I believe that peace-building activities should begin withcompassion for the people closest
to you, such as family members.

No.49 March 2007

8

PERUVIAN CHILDREN:
OUR BEST PRIORITY

THE FORUM WINDOW

Ms. Carmen Ledesma, foreign correspondent in
Peru, sent KFAW a report about Peruvian children.
How about Peru?

Co-existence with Migrant Workers
Today, more and more people are working overseas
and this trend will accelerate with the conclusion ofvarious trade agreements. For example, in September 2006, the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was signed, which enables
Filipino nurses and care givers to work in Japan.
The EPA with the Indonesian government, which
was agreed upon in November 2006, also includes aclause about the migration of nurses and care givers.
Last August, I had a chance to visit a private nursing college in the Philippines, which had cuttingedge medical equipment, advanced facilities, andlectures provided in English. These special facilities
and education are a response to the students whoplan to work overseas after graduating from college.
Nurses who are already practicing at hospitals also
expressed a strong desire to work overseas. For example, one young male nurse, who was working at
a government-run hospital in Manila, said to mewith a happy smile, “In half a year, I will become
eligible to apply to work overseas. If I get a job in
the U.S., I can earn ten times what I earn now.” Heneeded to wait six months because anyone who was
educated at a governmental nursing college was obligated to work at least three years for a governmental hospital in the Philippines.
In this age of globalization, it is natural that people
seek work overseas for higher incomes and betterworking conditions. However, in spite of the increase in the move of people at the global level,
there remain many problems, especially regarding
migrant workers. Will their human rights be respected in the host countries? Will they be given
sufficient wages? Could the presence of low-wage
migrant workers have a negative impact on theircounterparts in their host countries? In their homecountries, on the other hand, migration can cause
various problems, including “brain drains,” labor
shortages and dissolution of families. In fact, it isreported that several countries in Africa are suffering from a serious shortage of nurses, while the
British government promotes policies to employ
nurses from overseas. In Japan, some small andmedium-sized companies have allegedly been employing overseas “trainees” as a source of cheap labor.
To prevent such ethical problems and to ensurethat both migrant workers and people in the hostcountries enjoy working/accepting migrants, morestudies and surveys on migrant workers from a human rights perspective are needed, as well as advocacy activities based on these studies.

The Peruvian Constitution of 1993 states that:“The community andthe State protect particularly the child, theadolescent...” We also
have broad legal frameworks, as well as a Code for Children and Adolescents, which has been modified several
times, intending to improve the situation.
Peru is a young country with a large poor population,
mostly formed of children and adolescents. Inhabitants
under the age of 18 comprise 40% of the total population(10,617,000 in 2001).
Poverty has persisted for many decades. Several studies
about poverty have concluded that its effects on children
and adolescents are many times irreversible. At the socio-economic level, poverty severely restricts the equalityof present and future opportunities. Its impact is shownin mortality rates, morbidity, malnutrition, child work,and school performance.
54.8% of the population live in poor conditions, while
24.4% live in extreme poverty. Furthermore, 40.4% ofpoor family members are under the age of 15. Thismeans that, children and adolescents constitute themost excluded group in Peruvian society and therefore,are vulnerable and at higher risk.
To modify indicators concerning childhood and adolescence in Peru, it is certain that sustained and coordinated work is necessary, as well as consistent and sufficient investment. In this regard, it was imperative to develop a National Action Plan as a strategic tool of theState.
In 2002, Peru designed The National Action Plan forChildren and Adolescents 2002-2010 as a result of thecoordinated efforts of the government and civil society.
The supporting arguments of the Plan respond to thebasic needs of Peruvian children and adolescents, andrespect their culture, gender, and characteristics.
A diagnosis of the situation, which is the basis of theelaboration of the Plan, includes alarming indicators on
poverty, malnutrition, labor exploitation, family and social violence, low educational levels of rural girls, adolescent pregnancy, and others. These are the problems wemust consider in order to achieve the full recognition of
the human rights
of Peruvian children and adolescents, and thus,
guarantee theirpersonal and social development.

Ms. Yukiko Oda
Professor, The Japanese Red Cross Kyushu International
College of Nursing / Chief Researcher, KFAW

9No.49 March 2007

(Re)Presenting Women in Disaster:
The Women of Post-Tsunami Aceh

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS REPORTS

Report Theme : Women and Disaster

Mr. Fairoz Ahmad (Singapore)To access other foreign correspondents’ reports: http://www.kfaw.or.jp/english/15_report.html

Resiliency of Filipino Women
During and After Disaster

The Trafficking in
Vietnamese Women
Ms. Le Thi (Vietnam)

Ms. Rita Gatchalian (Philippines)

The trafficking in Vietnamese women, added to thatin China, Taiwan, Province of China, Korea, Cambodia
and other countries, is creating indignation in the
population. Many young women, including 12 and13 years-old girls, have been duped into following
traders who brought them to a foreign country andsold them to brothels. There is not yet any statistical
data for the whole country, however, Vietnamesenewspapers have published data about the victims
in many provinces. For instance, 20,000 womenfrom Lang Son and Quang Ninh provinces havebeen trafficked across the border to China. In
addition, 10,000 women and children from Ho Chi
Minh city, have been sold to China and Cambodia.
In the provinces of Tay Ninh, An Giang, and Dong

Natural disasters or calamities affect people, especially women because they are more concerned with thedaily needs of the family. Pressures and worries are
additional burdens for women when a calamity occurs. These additional pressures can cause women to
end up even more socially marginalized if not given
immediate support from local government units.
According to the latest report of the Philippine Center
for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), people are now
rebuilding their lives after the massive flooding andlandslides which devastated the Quezon province one
year ago. However, many who have permanently losttheir jobs before the disaster have yet to find a newsource of livelihood.
The center also discovered that Filipino women are
taking the lead in repairing shattered lives and devastated communities. They appear to have recovered
faster from the psychological impact of the disasterand are more aggressive in pursuing livelihood opportunities.
Since the disaster, many women in Quezon wantskills training to open the way towards more opportunities to earn. Their resourcefulness and patience
were clearly seen in the different activities in which
they participated.
More often, it is the women who take care of theirfamilies and communities. It was noted in theseareas that while men were still recuperating from thepsychological impact of the disaster, women were already busy looking for jobs and working in relief andrehabilitation programs in the communities. In addition, some women who have found work outside thehome said they finally learned to delegate some of
their domestic responsibilities to their husbands andchildren.
The traditional set-up of having women as the main
person responsible for household chores is already obsolete. The new set-up enables them to buy thingsfrom their own earnings. The women in Quezon specifically were ready to explore other type of work, including digging creeks, clearing roads and haulingstones.
An officer from the Philippine National Red Cross
said that when they had organized/initiated disastermanagement training in some barangays in Quezon,
the most enthusiastic and willing volunteers were
women.
Truly, Filipino women are one of our greatest assets
during and after disaster. With women emerging
more dominant than men in the rehabilitation efforts
of disaster struck areas, they are also more willing totake on new challenges. These women have made a
difference in the lives of the people in the community.

Thap, many women have been forced into prostitution.
In Can Tho province, all districts reported cases of

local women “married” to foreign men, coming forthe most part from Taiwan, Province of China and Korea.

In fact, in rural areas, young women with little
experience are easy prey for traders who persuade
them to go to foreign countries. The rationale is thatthey will have jobs with high salaries and goodworking conditions. Once abroad, these women aresoon sold to brothels or to men wanting to buy sex.
Most women who have been sold want to returnhome but they are powerless and have no means toliberate themselves. Specifically, their passports andall other papers have been confiscated. They become
slaves, leading illegal lives in the new country andtheir names are not registered.
Another form of trafficking in women is the organization of “marriages” of Vietnamese women with foreign men. In many of such “marriages,” the bridegroom immediately sells the bride to a brothel or toan old man who is sick, physically or mentally challenged, and unable to find a wife among the local
women.
The Vietnamese community is striving to prevent
trafficking in women and children.
1. State bodies hunt and severely punish “traders.”
2. Organizations develop education programs for
women, helping them avoid being deceived.
3. Activities for eradicating hunger and reducing poverty are being increased in order to help poor families avoid being forced to sell their daughters.
4. Due aid is given to victims who have returned
home, allowing them to find jobs.

No.49 March 200710

pectation resumes. Woman-led households will probably vanish and the resourceful women breadwinners
will relinquish their position to return to the domestic
realm while leaving work and housing matters totheir husbands. While some women do report thatthey miss work, they rationalize this role reversal asnormative, or in their own words, as “how it shouldbe.” The weight of tradition has taken care of the disturbed gender expectations. Nevertheless, some
women who enjoy their newfound resourcefulness
will continue to take part in contributing to theirhousehold economy.
Representations of women in disaster help outsiders
construct a mental image of the catastrophe and imbued it with meaning. The irony is that in representing the female, the feminine gets feminized.

A ‘disaster’ is only a meaning attributed by the arrival of outsiders to the scene of the catastrophe. This isbecause when everyone is afflicted/affected by an unimaginable calamity, there is no basis for comparison−the ‘us’ versus the ‘them,’ since everyone suffers
equally. Thus, disaster is largely reported by those
who were not victims and analyzed at length by experts from outside the community. Decisions are
made for, not by the victims. It is through these processes that a mental image of the disaster is createdand meanings attributed, sometimes accurate, othertimes erroneous. This issue of representation isequally problematic when applied to how womenshould act/react in disaster.
Women become objectified in disaster and are thus
represented as helpless, vulnerable, emotionally traumatized and dependent on outside aid. The exclusivity of such portrayals misrepresents the truth, for indisaster, women can actually be instrumental in restoring some semblance of normalcy.
In fact, post-tsunami Aceh opens up opportunities for
women to gain an unprecedented level of independence and leadership denied to them in the patriarchal society pre-tsunami. An aid worker told me in a
private conversation that rather than assuming therole of ‘damsels in distress,’ widows enthusiasticallyparticipated in assisted employments, such as opening small provision shops and cash-for-work activities, ranging from cleaning rubbish to cutting highgrass.
Furthermore, the destruction of the economy eliminates almost entirely the utility of the skills possessedby men. Immediately after the disaster and many
months afterward, there were no opportunities forfarmers, fishermen, cab drivers and civil servants toply their trade. On the other hand, it turned out thatthe domestic skills possessed by women became aquick and easy way to earn extra cash. Thus, many
aid groups furnished them with low cost items likesewing machines, stoves and basic materials likeflour and spices in order to commercialize activities
like sewing and cooking. These activities, regardlessof how menial they are, not only give women a senseof economic independence, but also steer their focus
towards the future rather than the past. Unfortunately, such resilience is tampered by societal expectations. Used to having a family (or, according to some locals,
having acutely realized the impermanence of life), manysought to (re)marry and(re)build a family. Single women and widows found themselves courted by single men
and widowers mere weeks after the tsunami. One may expect that once the traditional
nuclear family structure is(re)assembled and the economy ▲Women in Aceh work(re)structured, original role exenergetically

QA
Q A
&

&

Question

Corner

Q

Japan’s current fertility rate (1.25) represents a new low.
It is thought that the tendency to marry later; the highcost of raising a child; the difficulty of juggling careerand family are some of reasons. How about your country? What do children mean for your society or family?
Ms. Mayumi Nishimura, Fukuoka, JapanAnswer

Ms. Prabha Thacker, Nepal
In Nepal the total fertility rate has declined over the last three decades fromapproximately 6.3% to 4.3%. The major reason isthat the mean age of marriage has gone up as women become empowered through education andawareness about gender equality. Others are economic and social reasons, for example, the gradualbreakdown of the extended family-joint family system, so families are becoming more nuclear. As
more women seek work outside the home as professionals or wage earners, they also seek higher standards of living so raising many children becomes difficult. In particular, during the recent armed conflictsituation, women became more aware of their own
potential as activists, their activities in the publicsphere increased, and their role in the private
sphere has reduced their reproductive role.
Children play a very important role in the family.
There are many festivals and religious occasions
where children take part with their cousins, whether
within family networks or public events. Especially,
our auspicious and religious occasions consider
young girl children as very special. They are sometimes given special roles in these ceremonies inwhich children means the family bond itself.

A

11

No.49 March 2007

(Re)Presenting Women in Disaster:
The Women of Post-Tsunami Aceh

FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS REPORTS

Report Theme : Women and Disaster

Mr. Fairoz Ahmad (Singapore)To access other foreign correspondents’ reports: http://www.kfaw.or.jp/english/15_report.html

Resiliency of Filipino Women
During and After Disaster

The Trafficking in
Vietnamese Women
Ms. Le Thi (Vietnam)

Ms. Rita Gatchalian (Philippines)

The trafficking in Vietnamese women, added to thatin China, Taiwan, Korea, Cambodia and other countries, is creating indignation in the population. Many
young women, including 12 and 13 years-old girls,
have been duped into following traders who broughtthem to a foreign country and sold them to brothels.
There is not yet any statistical data for the wholecountry, however, Vietnamese newspapers have published data about the victims in many provinces. For
instance, 20,000 women from Lang Son and Quang
Ninh provinces have been trafficked across the border to China. In addition, 10,000 women and children
from Ho Chi Minh city, have been sold to China andCambodia. In the provinces of Tay Ninh, An Giang,
and Dong Thap, many women have been forced into
prostitution. In Can Tho province, all districts reported cases of local women “married” to foreign men,coming for the most part from Taiwan and Korea. In
fact, in rural areas, young women with little experience are easy prey for traders who persuade them to
go to foreign countries. The rationale is that they will
have jobs with high salaries and good working conditions. Once abroad, these women are soon sold tobrothels or to men wanting to buy sex.
Most women who have been sold want to returnhome but they are powerless and have no means toliberate themselves. Specifically, their passports andall other papers have been confiscated. They become
slaves, leading illegal lives in the new country andtheir names are not registered.
Another form of trafficking in women is the organization of “marriages” of Vietnamese women with foreign men. In many of such “marriages,” the bridegroom immediately sells the bride to a brothel or toan old man who is sick, physically or mentally challenged, and unable to find a wife among the local
women.
The Vietnamese community is striving to prevent
trafficking in women and children.

Natural disasters or calamities affect people, especially women because they are more concerned with thedaily needs of the family. Pressures and worries are
additional burdens for women when a calamity occurs. These additional pressures can cause women to
end up even more socially marginalized if not given
immediate support from local government units.
According to the latest report of the Philippine Center
for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), people are now
rebuilding their lives after the massive flooding andlandslides which devastated the Quezon province one
year ago. However, many who have permanently losttheir jobs before the disaster have yet to find a newsource of livelihood.
The center also discovered that Filipino women are
taking the lead in repairing shattered lives and devastated communities. They appear to have recovered
faster from the psychological impact of the disasterand are more aggressive in pursuing livelihood opportunities.
Since the disaster, many women in Quezon wantskills training to open the way towards more opportunities to earn. Their resourcefulness and patience
were clearly seen in the different activities in which
they participated.
More often, it is the women who take care of theirfamilies and communities. It was noted in theseareas that while men were still recuperating from thepsychological impact of the disaster, women were already busy looking for jobs and working in relief andrehabilitation programs in the communities. In addition, some women who have found work outside thehome said they finally learned to delegate some of
their domestic responsibilities to their husbands andchildren.
The traditional set-up of having women as the main
person responsible for household chores is already obsolete. The new set-up enables them to buy thingsfrom their own earnings. The women in Quezon specifically were ready to explore other type of work, including digging creeks, clearing roads and haulingstones.
An officer from the Philippine National Red Cross
said that when they had organized/initiated disastermanagement training in some barangays in Quezon,
the most enthusiastic and willing volunteers were
women.
Truly, Filipino women are one of our greatest assets
during and after disaster. With women emerging
more dominant than men in the rehabilitation efforts
of disaster struck areas, they are also more willing totake on new challenges. These women have made a
difference in the lives of the people in the community.

1. State bodies hunt and severely punish “traders.”
2. Organizations develop education programs for
women, helping them avoid being deceived.
3. Activities for eradicating hunger and reducing poverty are being increased in order to help poor families avoid being forced to sell their daughters.
4. Due aid is given to victims who have returned
home, allowing them to find jobs.

No.49 March 200710

pectation resumes. Woman-led households will probably vanish and the resourceful women breadwinners
will relinquish their position to return to the domestic
realm while leaving work and housing matters totheir husbands. While some women do report thatthey miss work, they rationalize this role reversal asnormative, or in their own words, as “how it shouldbe.” The weight of tradition has taken care of the disturbed gender expectations. Nevertheless, some
women who enjoy their newfound resourcefulness
will continue to take part in contributing to theirhousehold economy.
Representations of women in disaster help outsiders
construct a mental image of the catastrophe and imbued it with meaning. The irony is that in representing the female, the feminine gets feminized.

A ‘disaster’ is only a meaning attributed by the arrival of outsiders to the scene of the catastrophe. This isbecause when everyone is afflicted/affected by an unimaginable calamity, there is no basis for comparison−the ‘us’ versus the ‘them,’ since everyone suffers
equally. Thus, disaster is largely reported by those
who were not victims and analyzed at length by experts from outside the community. Decisions are
made for, not by the victims. It is through these processes that a mental image of the disaster is createdand meanings attributed, sometimes accurate, othertimes erroneous. This issue of representation isequally problematic when applied to how womenshould act/react in disaster.
Women become objectified in disaster and are thus
represented as helpless, vulnerable, emotionally traumatized and dependent on outside aid. The exclusivity of such portrayals misrepresents the truth, for indisaster, women can actually be instrumental in restoring some semblance of normalcy.
In fact, post-tsunami Aceh opens up opportunities for
women to gain an unprecedented level of independence and leadership denied to them in the patriarchal society pre-tsunami. An aid worker told me in a
private conversation that rather than assuming therole of ‘damsels in distress,’ widows enthusiasticallyparticipated in assisted employments, such as opening small provision shops and cash-for-work activities, ranging from cleaning rubbish to cutting highgrass.
Furthermore, the destruction of the economy eliminates almost entirely the utility of the skills possessedby men. Immediately after the disaster and many
months afterward, there were no opportunities forfarmers, fishermen, cab drivers and civil servants toply their trade. On the other hand, it turned out thatthe domestic skills possessed by women became aquick and easy way to earn extra cash. Thus, many
aid groups furnished them with low cost items likesewing machines, stoves and basic materials likeflour and spices in order to commercialize activities
like sewing and cooking. These activities, regardlessof how menial they are, not only give women a senseof economic independence, but also steer their focus
towards the future rather than the past. Unfortunately, such resilience is tampered by societal expectations. Used to having a family (or, according to some locals,
having acutely realized the impermanence of life), manysought to (re)marry and(re)build a family. Single women and widows found themselves courted by single men
and widowers mere weeks after the tsunami. One may expect that once the traditional
nuclear family structure is(re)assembled and the economy ▲Women in Aceh work(re)structured, original role exenergetically

QA
Q A
&

&

Question

Corner

Q

Japan’s current fertility rate (1.25) represents a new low.
It is thought that the tendency to marry later; the highcost of raising a child; the difficulty of juggling careerand family are some of reasons. How about your country? What do children mean for your society or family?
Ms. Mayumi Nishimura, Fukuoka, JapanAnswer

Ms. Prabha Thacker, Nepal
In Nepal the total fertility rate has declined over the last three decades fromapproximately 6.3% to 4.3%. The major reason isthat the mean age of marriage has gone up as women become empowered through education andawareness about gender equality. Others are economic and social reasons, for example, the gradualbreakdown of the extended family-joint family system, so families are becoming more nuclear. As
more women seek work outside the home as professionals or wage earners, they also seek higher standards of living so raising many children becomes difficult. In particular, during the recent armed conflictsituation, women became more aware of their own
potential as activists, their activities in the publicsphere increased, and their role in the private
sphere has reduced their reproductive role.
Children play a very important role in the family.
There are many festivals and religious occasions
where children take part with their cousins, whether
within family networks or public events. Especially,
our auspicious and religious occasions consider
young girl children as very special. They are sometimes given special roles in these ceremonies inwhich children means the family bond itself.

A

11

No.49 March 2007

ISSN 0918-8266

Asian Lifestyles〜Photos from KFAW Readers〜Children in Bangkok
Before going home

COVER PROFILE
Ms. Shigeko Koyakumaru
Kyogen Player

I visited Duang Prateep Foundation, which mainly
conducts activities in Klong Toey, the largest slum in
Bangkok. This foundation promotes many welfare programs, such as management of educational foster parent systems and operation of nursery schools. There
are few children in this class because this is for hearing-challenged children. They washed their hands andput baby powder on their face before meals.

Kyogen are brief plays presented ascomic interludes between the somber
dramas that make up the traditional
program of the Noh theatre. The protagonists of Kyogen come from medieval Japanese folklore. They include
a wide range of types, from servants
to priests, which are often drawn inhighly exaggerated terms.
Ms. Koyakumaru started to learn how to perform Kyogen, eventhough this is mainly a man’s world, as well as other Japanesetraditional performing arts including Kabuki and Noh. Ms.
Koyakumaru discovered Kyogen when she was a student. She
was attracted to the informal stage of Kyogen where characters’
unique movements, generous-hearted laughter and ordinary
people’s sense and action are expressed. She enjoys opportunities like cultural festivals to introduce to many people and children the special attraction of Kyogen. She hopes we will be morefamiliar with Kyogen and bring its humor into our life.

KITAKYUSHU FORUM ON ASIAN WOMEN MARCH 2007

Triannual Publication

A little salesclerk
Ms. Yoshiko Misumi, President of Kitakyushu
Forum on Asian WomenWins the Cabinet Office Award for Gender
Equal Society Merit

This is Lama II bazaar which is located in suburbs of
Bangkok. In vegetable shops, salesclerks sit at display
counters, while meat and fish shops are in face-to-facestyles similar to Japan. Thai children often help withhousehold chores, such as care for younger children.
Although children keep running around because they
are bored, adults ignore them and keep eating. This isbecause there are elder brothers and sisters watchingthem. This picture is a scene where a girl helps sellvegetables.
Photographer: Mr. Yoshinori Ohki, Kitakyushu

Location of
Kitakyushu

Beijing Pyongyang

ShanghaiSeoul Osaka Tokyo
Kitakyushu
Fukuoka

KITAKYUSHU OTEMACHI BUILDING 3F
OTEMACHI 11-4, KOKURAKITA, KITAKYUSHU, 803-0814 JAPAN
PHONE＋81-93-583-3434 FAX＋81-93-583-5195

Hong Kong Taipei
Hanoi
Vientiane

Dhaka

Yangon Bangkok

E-mail: kfaw@kfaw.or.jp URL: http://www.kfaw.or.jp/english/index.html

ManilaKFAW

Phnom Penh
Kuala Lumpur
Singapore

Jakarta

Ms. Yoshiko Misumi was presented
an award for her outstanding contribution in the fields of gender equality promotion. She has engaged inpromotion of women’s administration for more than twenty years
throughout the country, as well as
Ms. Misumi
Kitakyushu city, including the founwelcomes attendees
dation of KFAW and Kitakyushu
Municipal Gender Equality Center “MOVE.” Ms. Misumi
expressed her joy in receiving the award: “This prize is
not for me personally but for those who have made an effort to promote a gender equal society. It is a passport tohave a perspective and awareness of gender equality sothat we will be able to live productively in the 21st century.”

Port Moresby

The Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women (KFAW) was established in
October of 1990 with a special government fund for revitalization projects.
Subsequently, in 1993, the KFAW was recognized as a foundation by the
Ministry of Labor. The purpose of the KFAW, through various projects, is topromote the improvement of women's status as well as their mutual
understanding and cooperation in Asia.

This trademark means that
Asian Breeze uses 100% recycled paper.

PRINTED WITH

SOY INK
This copy is printed with environment-friendly soy ink.

TM

WOMEN TODAY …………………………

PERUVIAN CHILDREN ………………… 'CURRENT ISSUES SERIES…………… !

THE FORUM WINDOW ………………… 'THE 17th KITAKYUSHUFOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS REPORTS… 

CONFERENCE ON ASIAN WOMEN …

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REPORT FROM VIETNAM……………… &INFORMATION…………………………… 

NO.

49

MARCH 2007