Australia Awards South and West Asia

On 22–24 April, 42 Australia Awards alumni from across South Asia and Mongolia gathered in Bhutan for the 2024 Regional Alumni Workshop, which had the theme of ‘Bridging the gender gap and supporting local women leaders’.

Watch the event video here:

The participating alumni were drawn from a variety of sectors, including education, health, public policy and law, but were united by a desire to work towards gender equality in their workplaces, communities and countries.

Matthew Lapworth, the Director of the South and Central Asia Development Section of Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, opened the workshop by commending the alumni’s commitment to working towards a more gender-equal world.

“Gender equality is central to all of our interests. It’s about accelerating progress,” he said. “We know that greater political and economic participation by women makes societies wealthier and more peaceful.”

Participants were then welcomed to Bhutan by the country’s Minister for Industry, Commerce and Employment, Namgyal Dorji—himself an Australia Awards alumnus.

“My Australia Awards experience has driven positive change… [and] reaffirmed my belief in creating a more just and equitable world,” he said.

Matthew Lapworth (left) and Minister Namgyal Dorji (right) addressing the participants at the Regional Alumni Workshop.

The first two days of the workshop featured discussions about how to create respectful and equal workplaces, supporting indigenous women leaders, how men can be allies for gender equality, and how to handle resistance to advocacy.

The workshop sessions included interactive group exercises, alumni panel discussions and keynote presentations from two alumnae speakers: Rani Yan Yan of Bangladesh spoke about gender equality for indigenous women and Hawwa Leesha of Maldives shared her experiences of creating networks to support women leaders. Two alumni showcase sessions provided opportunities for the participants to share their own work and impact on gender equality.

Keynote speaker and alumna Rani Yan Yan from Bangladesh provided an indigenous perspective on gender equality.

Alumni played a significant role in the delivery of the workshop, facilitating panel discussions and hosting the alumni sessions. A total of 35 of the 42 participating alumni either delivered a presentation, contributed as a panellist or hosted a session.

The workshop saw new ideas generated for the Regional Women in Leadership Network and the establishment of a Male Allies for Gender Equality Network.

On the third day of the workshop, alumni toured sites around Thimphu. They saw women artisans displaying their expertise at the Royal Textile Academy and visited the CSI market. The CSI market was the initiative of Australia Awards alumna Sonam Chophel to provide an outlet for small Bhutanese producers such as alumna Tshewang Dem. Members of the Bhutan Australia Alumni Association volunteered as guides and facilitators during these field trips.

Alumna Manshi Singh from India browses goods produced by female Bhutanese entrepreneurs at the CSI market.

In a survey of the participants following the workshop, 97% of respondents rated their knowledge and understanding of approaches to addressing gender gaps as higher than before the workshop. In considering their networks, 84% of respondents advised that they had made new connections with alumni from other countries in the region, with whom they would definitely remain in touch after the workshop.

Of the workshop, Nepali alum Sujeena Shakya said, “It was such an enriching experience to attend the Australia Awards Regional Alumni Workshop 2024 in Bhutan. The workshop brought together Australia Awards alumni from across South Asia and Mongolia to discuss, share and collaborate on common and emerging agendas on gender and inclusion.”

Bangladeshi alumna Fatema Jahan Sharna said she was proud to be “part of the 2024 Australia Awards – South Asia & Mongolia Regional Alumni Workshop with other alumni in Bhutan” and added, “It was a program full of professional development and networking.”

Sri Lankan alumna Upeka Thilinimali said, “The Regional Alumni Workshop theme, “Bridging the gender gap and supporting local women leaders,” resonated deeply with me, aligning perfectly with my passion for fostering gender equality and empowering women”

“Together, we engaged in meaningful discussions, reflecting on our collective achievements and lessons learned in advancing gender equality, diversity, and inclusion.”

Reflecting the common sentiment of many participants, she declared, “It was a truly remarkable opportunity.”