Women of Asia

Women of Asia

May 12, 2023 | About WoA

The Short Story of Women of Asia

Karl Gart

Karl Gart

The beginnings, the story, the life-skills program, the Women Empowerment anthem, and about teaching women everything what schools forgot to tell us about.
The seed of the Women of Asia Initiative was harvested in 2015 when I first moved to Asia. Although it was not my principle or intention, I have been working predominantly with women ever since.

The Women of Asia Initiative came to life in 2022. During the previous seven years, my path has crossed many women’s paths: from those in rural areas to researchers, artists, activists, teachers and professors, entrepreneurs, directors, CEOs, female politicians, and princesses. Many were outstanding work partners, but it wasn’t always the case.

As a director and international organizational chairman in Asia, I have struggled with recurring issues hampering the work process in every project on my agenda. I led groups of specialists from four continents and appreciated the advantages of multicultural teams. However, there was a significant gap in work outcomes in some cases.

Working in Southeast Asia, I learned how marginalized, underprivileged, and neglected many women in Asia have been. Initially, I needed help understanding the roots of this issue. Here are a few most typical highlights from stories I came across that inspired me to start Women of Asia:

#1: Background

Since birth, many girls have been told not to strive, try, or aim high. Their fate was to wait for their assignment. They were expected to be available upon their family’s call and ready for any sacrifice, including giving up their current life set-up and employment or career with immediate effect.

Discouraged from education, career, striving for change, and taking challenges and risks, many heard from their loving parents that girls are weak, dependent, and not intelligent.

 
“Women belong at home, where their husbands take care of their livelihood.,” many females told me.
 
A young woman greets someone with her palms put together in a kind gesture
Greeting in a Southeast Asian style

#2: Situation

It is difficult to find the source of problems if their symptoms and consequences are socially accepted.
Many women were repeatedly told they could not think for themselves or make decisions. They should have remained submissive to those who knew what was good for them.
People indoctrinated this way show symptoms of low intelligence and the lack of will and power to do things. They accept their fate, assume their place in line, and expect constant guidance. Without that, unknowingly, they cannot predict or prevent avoidable mistakes.
 

#3: Positive Change

Aside from office routines, we worked on self-confidence, self-value, and self-acceptance to turn their mindset positively. It’s been a long way, worth every failure and each month of the process.

I saw them flourishing, self-standing, assertive, and courageous. They became efficient, independent workers; and excellent, caring companions on the Board. 

A group of young Asian women pulls a thick rope to the right in a sports game
Bali WISE Women Empowerment Organization Staff and Students play social and sports games to raise spirits and motivation
 

#4: When Empowerment Becomes A Routine

I have been doing it for so long that it has become part of my work and daily routine. It slowly turned my teams into dynamic, intuitive, and creative groups of self-confident individuals with whom achieving goals became a joy and with whom the mutual journey was a tremendously efficient and satisfying goal.

With whom would you travel to the Stars?

Women who were told who they should be,

Or the ones who they became?

The Women of Asia Initiative is here to impact through sharing experiences, inspiring, and telling stories of individuals and their positive change.

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