Text: Cindy Yeung

HONG KONG, 31st August 2015 – To address the topic of equal opportunity for South Asian women to receive higher education, the panel discussion “For Lasting Change: Women’s Education and Empowerment” held in Asia Society Hong Kong Center gave an examplier of how the Asian University of Women act as an forefront in making an impact on female education.

The panel of distinguished guests included Cherie Blair, Chancellor of the Asian University for Women (AUW), Jack Meyer, Founding Chairman of the AUW, Marveh Shakib, the only women in the Government of Herat, Afghanistan and Christina Tamang, current student of AUW.

Moderated by Ronnie C. Chan, Co-Chair of the Asia Society and Chairman of Asia Society Hong Kong Center, the panel covered a range of topics from women’s education and empowerment, the work of Asian University of Women and sharings of empowered South Asian women who benefited from higher education.

Cherie Blair set the scene by addressing the reasons that keeps women away from education, which could be tracked down to economic, cultural and social reasons. “In UK, I am the first spouse of a prime minister including Denis Thatcher to be in university which is a reflection that girls in my country do not get enough education until later in the 20th century. Back in the days, there is no contraception and the invention of appliances such as the washing machine which left women working inside home and take care of kids. Only with the advancement of technology in the 21st century, it frees up women’s time and allows women to go to work.”

“It is also about control. If you want to control a society, one of the most dangerous things you could do is to have educated people because they are likely to challenge you and ask questions. And if you want to restrict opportunity of people having education, one of the best ways to do is not to educate women as women can have intergenerational effect,” Blair added.

By the establishment of AUW in Bangladesh, Cherie wish to send a strong statement to the world that women’s education is important in the South Asia region. “After all, not all, but most of the leaders in today’s world, no matter in business, NGO sector or politics will come from people who have had university education. It’s really important that we ensure girls who received their education of their merit and abilities and not simply because of their parents ability to pay.”

Christina Tamang, a fourth year biological science student at AUW, told the audience her “wonderful” and “fruitful” school life in Bangladesh. “I have changed a lot in these four years of studies, both in my perception of the world and the people and the way I think. I would say the journey at AUW is like a treasure hunt, and I am mesmorised by new things all the time.”

Tamang further described her experience at AUW. “I enjoyed talking to the seniors and learn from their talents. At the same time, I learnt to play basketball, guitar, karate and acting. I have also joined a study programme and completed four internships.”

Marveh Shakib, a graduate of AUW in 2014, is grateful about the opportunities brought by the university. “I was major in Asian studies and minor in development studies. AUW has empowered me with knowledge and courage that made me stood out from the colleagues at the Ministry of Counter of Narcotics.”

The benefits of receiving education from AUW are beyond gaining knowledge. “I was given the Young Women Leader Award from the United Nation and was selected as one of the three women in Herat as role models.” Shakib added.

When asked if AUW can be a sustainable enterprise, Jack Meyer is confident about its prospect. “The aim is to raise 6-10 million US dollars this year and to recruit up to 500 students. We have been approaching corporates and get them involved in our fundraising programme.”

Ronnie C. Chan appreciated the efforts made by AUW and took the lead to support the fundraising campaign by donating 75 thousand US dollars.
 

Video: Watch the complete program (1 hr., 18 min.)