knowledge dissemination
Regional Consultation on COVID-19 and Its Impacts on the Rights to Health and Work of Female Migrants in ASEAN: Better Protection and Building Resilience
28 February 2025 - The Sukosul,Bangkok
On February 28, 2025, the Women RISE WISH Project – Thailand, led by the Prorights Foundation, in collaboration with the Women RISE WISH Project – Malaysia, led by Monash University Malaysia and their Canadian collaborator, the University of Toronto, hosted the ‘Regional Workshop on "COVID-19 and Its Impacts on the Rights to Health and Work of Female Migrants in ASEAN: Better Protection and Building Resilience’, at The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok.
As part of the IDRC-funded Women Migrants’ Health and Work After COVID-19 project, the workshop provided a critical platform for evidence-based discussions, finalizing recommendations, and fostering regional collaboration to strengthen protections for female migrants.
Mr. Charnchao Chaiyanukij
Chairperson, Prorights Foundation.
Chairperson, Prorights Foundation.
Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, Assistant to Representative of Thailand to AICHR, ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), Thailand.
Dr. Sharuna Verghis, Principal Investigator, Women RISE WISH Project, Monash University Malaysia.
Prof.Dato’ Noor Aziah Mohd Awal, Commissioner, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia.
Mr. Edmund Bon, Representative of Malaysia to AICHR / Chair of AICHR, Malaysia.
Dr. Sarunya Sujaritpong,
Co-Investigator – Women RISE WISH, Project, IPSR, Mahidol University, Thailand.
Co-Investigator – Women RISE WISH, Project, IPSR, Mahidol University, Thailand.
Key Recommendations:
• Establishment of an inter-sectoral protection mechanism addressing women migrants' unique vulnerabilities, particularly in crises.
• Enhanced collaboration between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW), and other ASEAN sectoral bodies to reinforce frameworks safeguarding migrant women’s work and health.
AICHR Malaysia, as the Chair of AICHR 2025, encouraged the research team to make a formal submission of the research findings to AICHR and ACWC that could inform its action plans and develop a case referral mechanism.
With 30 participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand—including representatives from ASEAN bodies, national human rights institutions, research organizations, and civil society—the workshop underscored the importance of cross-border partnerships in shaping gender-transformative policies.
• Establishment of an inter-sectoral protection mechanism addressing women migrants' unique vulnerabilities, particularly in crises.
• Enhanced collaboration between the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR), the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW), and other ASEAN sectoral bodies to reinforce frameworks safeguarding migrant women’s work and health.
AICHR Malaysia, as the Chair of AICHR 2025, encouraged the research team to make a formal submission of the research findings to AICHR and ACWC that could inform its action plans and develop a case referral mechanism.
With 30 participants from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Thailand—including representatives from ASEAN bodies, national human rights institutions, research organizations, and civil society—the workshop underscored the importance of cross-border partnerships in shaping gender-transformative policies.
Mr. Rafendi Djamin, Former Representative of Indonesia to AICHR (2009-2015) /
Member of the Governing Board, Human Rights Resource Center, Indonesia.
Dr. Rapeepong Suphanchaimat, International Health Policy Foundation, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand.
Ms. Supatra Nacapew, Commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Thailand.
National Consultation on Women Migrants’ Health and Work in Thailand and Forum on Legal Literacy, Policies, and Practices for Migrant Worker Registration in Thailand
30 January 2025 - Bangkok
On 30 January 2025, the Prorights Foundation organized a National consultation on Women Migrants’ Health and Work in Thailand, as well as a Forum on Legal Literacy, Policies, and Practices for Migrant Worker Registration in Thailand on 30 January 2025. The meeting was held in hybrid format, allowing both in-person and virtual pariticipation.
The meeting aimed to disseminate key findings, gather inputs and recommendations, and foster networking and collaboration across various sectors.
The meeting aimed to disseminate key findings, gather inputs and recommendations, and foster networking and collaboration across various sectors.
Mr. Charnchao Chaiyanukij, Chair of Prorights Foundation, delivered opening remarks. Preliminary research findings were presented by Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree and Dr. Sarunya Sujaritpong from the research team Thailand. The discussions explored the intersectional challenges faced by women migrants, particularly regarding health and work, before, during, and the after Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr. Charnchao Chaiyanukij
Chairperson, Prorights Foundation
Dr Sriprapha Petcharamesree
Co-Principal Investigator,
Women RISE WISH Project
Thailand
Dr. Sarunya Sujaritpong, Co-Investigator – Women RISE WISH, Project, IPSR, Mahidol University, Thailand
Additionally, the Forum on Legal Literacy, Policies, and Practices for Migrant Worker Registration in Thailand identified critical challenges preventing migrant workers from accessing fair and safe employment as well as other fundamental rights. Two significant issues discussed were the lack of long-term policies on registration and lack of transparency in the registration process, which led to corruption.
Mr. Adisorn Kerdmongkol, Manager, Migrant Working Group
The consultation/forum was attended by 30 representatives from various key organizations, including the Ministry of Labour, National Security Council, National Human Rights Commission, Social Security Board, academics, civil society organizations, and migrant leaders/workers along with the researcher team.
Women RISE End-of-Project Meeting
3-5 February 2025 – Ole Sereni, Nairobi
The WISH team participated in the Women RISE End-of-Project Meeting in Nairobi on 3-5 February 2025.
From left to right: Dr. Yap Kwong Hsia (Co-I), Dr. Koh Sin Yee (Co-I), Dr. Sharuna Verghis (PI), Dr. Sarunya Sujaritpong (Co-I), and Dr. Zerihun Admassu
(Research Fellow)
(Research Fellow)
The End-of-Project Meeting, organized by IDRC through the African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC) and Graduate School of Media and Communications,Aga Khan University, saw the participation of 23 Women RISE research teams from Africa, Latin America and Asia with Canadian Partner Institutions.
Dr. Yap Kwong Hsia presenting the WISH Project findings
The final meeting for the Women RISE Initiative included a series of panel discussions and interactive breakout sessions designed to share knowledge and experiences. The WISH Team presented preliminary findings from the WISH project.
13 March 2025 - Monash University Malaysia
The Women RISE WISH Project held its National Consultation in Malaysia on 13 March 2025 at Monash University Malaysia.
The event, which was attended by academics, government representatives, UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based groups, discussed the findings of the WISH Study on the work and health of women migrants in Malaysia.
For more details on the event, find out more on Monash University Malaysia , Instagram , TikTok , and X.
The event, which was attended by academics, government representatives, UN agencies, NGOs, and community-based groups, discussed the findings of the WISH Study on the work and health of women migrants in Malaysia.
For more details on the event, find out more on Monash University Malaysia , Instagram , TikTok , and X.
Healing Together: Promoting Mental Wellbeing for Migrant Women
Training for NGOs and Migrant Community Leaders on Establishing and Managing Support Groups to Enhance the Mental Well-Being of Women Migrants
20-30 June 2024 – Monash University Malaysia
As part of the Women RISE WISH Project, the "Healing Together: Promoting Mental Wellbeing for Migrant Workers in Support Groups" workshop took place on June 29–30, bringing together community leaders from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, and Pakistan.
This two-day workshop addressed an urgent public health challenge: the prevalence of mild depression and anxiety symptoms among women migrants. Our research underscores the critical need for accessible, community-based mental health interventions in resource-limited settings. Support groups serve as an essential non-specialist approach, providing much-needed psychosocial support where formal mental health services are scarce.
This two-day workshop addressed an urgent public health challenge: the prevalence of mild depression and anxiety symptoms among women migrants. Our research underscores the critical need for accessible, community-based mental health interventions in resource-limited settings. Support groups serve as an essential non-specialist approach, providing much-needed psychosocial support where formal mental health services are scarce.
Workshop Highlights:
• Understanding mental health fundamentals and the impact of migration-related stress
• Practical strategies for stress management, mindfulness, and emotional regulation
• Strengthening peer-led support groups to foster resilience and social connection
• Equipping community leaders with skills to provide initial mental health support and guide individuals to further resources
By empowering grassroots leaders, this initiative helps prevent mental health challenges from escalating, fosters a sense of belonging, and strengthens community networks.
A heartfelt thank you to Zohora Parveen, Kah Hoe Cheng, and Tharisini Siva for their invaluable expertise and guidance. Special appreciation to Health Equity Initiatives (HEI) for sharing their expertise from the refugee mental health space and for supporting this event.
• Understanding mental health fundamentals and the impact of migration-related stress
• Practical strategies for stress management, mindfulness, and emotional regulation
• Strengthening peer-led support groups to foster resilience and social connection
• Equipping community leaders with skills to provide initial mental health support and guide individuals to further resources
By empowering grassroots leaders, this initiative helps prevent mental health challenges from escalating, fosters a sense of belonging, and strengthens community networks.
A heartfelt thank you to Zohora Parveen, Kah Hoe Cheng, and Tharisini Siva for their invaluable expertise and guidance. Special appreciation to Health Equity Initiatives (HEI) for sharing their expertise from the refugee mental health space and for supporting this event.
Contact Us
+603 - 5514 4916
sharuna.verghis@monash.edu
Malaysia