The Asean Conferderation of Women’s Organisations and the Vietnam Women’s Union
By the year 2000, ACWO comprises 10 National Women’s Organizations in the ten ASEAN countries[1] who voluntarily work in concerted efforts towards the full integration of women in development and in the implementation of strategies and programs adopted by the ASEAN governments, for the enhancement of women’s participation in both national and regional progress. ACWO funds mainly come from annual membership and contributions by organization members.
Since 1985, ACWO has joined UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)at the consultative status category II which enables ACWO to participate in important UN discussions relating to women such as Commission on the Status of Women and the evaluation meetings on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Every 2 years, ACWO holds its General Assembly to review the activities during the last period and works out the direction for the coming period. From its inception, ACWO has close ties and working relations with ASEAN Committee on Women (known as ASEAN Women’s Program/ASEAN Subcommittee on Women). Up to now, ACWO has convened 10 General Assemblies with different themes reflecting regional women’s common issues and ASEAN women’s concerns. Opening New Millennium, ACWO identified the theme of the 9th General Assembly (May 2000,
As its previous General Assemblies, the 10th Assembly adopted ACWO Plan of Actions for 2002 - 2004 promote women’s advancement in socio- economic and political fields. At this Assembly, ACWO Board members are rotated to the National Council of Women in
In the 10th General Assembly, at the initiative of Dr. Anamah Tan, ACWO President (2000 – 2002), ACWO Board by consensus decided to confer the ACWO-ASEAN Women’s Day Award to one woman leader to recognize and promote women’s significant contributions to the welfare of women in their respective countries and in the region. The 2002 ASEAN-ACWO Women’s Day Award has been conferred to Ibu Anindyati Sulasikin Murpratomo for her devotion and great contribution to the women’s movement in
The Vietnam Women’s Union has officially joined ACWO since June 1996 at its 6th General Assembly in the
VWU does promote not only its role in regional activities but also its bilateral partnership with various ACWO organization members such as Lao Women’s
With its great efforts, the Vietnam Women’s Union has accomplished its role of a ACWO country member, thus contributing to the promotion of the regional integration by
[1] Council of Women of Bruinei Darussalam (1981); National Council of Women’s Organisations of Indonesia (1981); National Council of Women’s Organisations of Malaysia (1981); National Council of Women of the Phillipines (1981); Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (1981); National Council of Women of Thailand (1981); Vietnam Women’s Union (1996); Lao Women’s Union (1998); Myanmar Maternal & Child Welfare Association (1998);National Council Cambodia Women Organisation (2000);.