HE Stephanie Copus Campbell AM
Australian Ambassador for Gender EqualityStephanie Copus Campbell AM has extensive experience working across the public, private,
philanthropic and community sectors in Australia and the Indo Pacific. She has served as
head of Australia’s bilateral aid programs with Papua New Guinea, Fiji and Tuvalu and head
of Australia’s Pacific Regional programs. Stephanie has worked in senior executive roles
with CARE Australia and the Oil Search Foundation.
From 2018 to 2023, Stephanie was appointed by the Government of PNG as Chair of the
Southern Highlands Provincial Health Authority Board, with responsibility for governing all
health service delivery in one of PNG’s most populated provinces. She is also the founding
Director on the Femili PNG Board (providing services to survivors of family and sexual
violence) and actively involved in a not for profit, social impact coffee business that supports
female coffee growers in PNG with all profits funding domestic violence services in PNG.
Stephanie holds a Master of Philosophy from Cambridge University in international relations
and a bachelor’s degree from the University of California in political science, where she
graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Professor Jacqui True FASSA, FAIIA
Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEVAW)- Welcome to Conference, Welcome Remarks and Keynote Speaker
- Discussion: Prof Kim Thuy Seelinger, The Honorable Justice Lesley Taylor, with Prof Jacqui True
- Evening Reception
Professor Jacqui True FASSA, FAIIA is Director of the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEVAW) and Professor of International Relations and Maureen Brunt Professorial Fellow at Monash University. She is a leading scholar in the field of international relations, with research expertise on gender, peace and security and violence against women globally. She is the author of 21 books and over 150 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters including The Oxford Handbook on Women, Peace and Security and Hidden Wars: Gendered Violence in Asia’s Civil Conflicts with Sara E. Davies. Her book, The Political Economy of Violence Against Women (Oxford ) won the American Political Science Association’s 2012 biennial prize for the best book in human rights among other awards.
Dr Fiona Hukula
Papua New Guinea Social Anthropologist- First Plenary – The Fight Continues: Justice for CRSV on the 25th Anniversary of WPS
- First Nations Experience of CRSV
Dr Fiona Hukula is a Papua New Guinea Social Anthropologist with over 20 years of research and policy experience in Papua New Guinea and more recently within the Pacific. Prior to commencing her role as a regional civil servant Fiona spent over 20 years as a researcher at the Papua New Guinea Research Institute. Fiona’s research and policy background allows her to think globally but act locally. She has published in the areas of gender-based violence, urban sociality and gender equality and is a firm advocate for local solutions for local problems. She holds a PhD in Social Anthropology from the University of St Andrews in Scotland and a Master’s in International Criminology from the University of Sheffield, England.
Leonésia Tecla da Silva
Co-founder of Southeast Asian Women Peace MediatorsLeonésia Tecla da Silva is a co-founder of the Southeast Asian Women Peace Mediators, with over 20 years of experience in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and women empowerment. As the National Consultant for WPS with UN Women Timor-Leste, she established the first national network of mediators and co-drafted the UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan Second Generation for Timor-Leste. Tecla has facilitated the reintegration process for internally displaced persons during the 2006 Crisis and contributed to UNDP programs on social cohesion. Her work promoting women's participation in mediation has been recognized internationally, including at the Women4Multilateralism event in Geneva on March 8, 2022.
Elisabeth Wood
Crosby Professor at Human Environment, Co-Director of the Program in Agrarian Studies, and Professor of Political Science, International and Area Studies at Yale UniversityElisabeth is the Crosby Professor of the Human Environment, Co-Director of the Program in Agrarian Studies, and Professor of Political Science, International and Area Studies at Yale University. She is the author of Forging Democracy from Below: Insurgent Transitions in South Africa and El Salvador and Insurgent Collective Action and Civil War in El Salvador, and co-editor with Morten Bergsmo and Alf B. Skre of Understanding and Proving International Sex Crimes. Among her recent articles are “Ideology and the Implicit Authorization of Violence as Policy: The Myanmar Military's Conflict-Related Sexual Violence against the Rohingya” (with Mayesha Alam), “The Islamic State’s Pattern of Sexual Violence: Ideology and Institutions, Policies and Practices” with Mara Revkin, “Rape as a Practice of War: Towards a Typology of Political Violence,” and “The Persistence of Sexual Assault within the US Military.”
Daphne Iris A. Macatimbol
Regional Gender Advisor/Manager at Nonviolent PeaceforceDaphne is the Regional Gender Advisor/Manager at Nonviolent Peaceforce, leading the women, peace, and security program in the Philippines with a particular focus on the reintegration of Women Ex-Combatants. With 15 years of experience in development and humanitarian work, her expertise lies in conflict prevention and management, Early Warning Early Response, Women Peace and Security, and emergency response, including case management of grave child rights violations and sexual violence in armed conflict. She also supports the country program in Myanmar for developing Community-Driven Early Warning Early Response mechanisms to enhance the self- protection and resilience of civilians during conflicts.
Bhavani Fonseka
Senior Researcher and Attorney at Law at Centre for Policy Alternatives (Sri Lanka)Bhavani Fonseka is a Senior Researcher and Attorney at Law with the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA), with a focus on research and national and international advocacy. Her work has revolved around assisting victims and affected populations across Sri Lanka, legal and policy reforms and public interest litigation (PIL). She is the editor of the books Elusive Justice & Emblematic Cases in Sri Lanka (2023) & Transitional Justice in Sri Lanka: Moving Beyond Promises (2017) & co-editor of the book Salient Aspects of Public Interest Litigation Jurisprudence in Sri Lanka (2023). Presently she serves as a member of the Business and Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. She was previously an adviser to the Consultation Taskforce appointed by the Government of Sri Lanka in 2016 and a member of the drafting committee to formulate the National Human Rights Action Plan for Sri Lanka for the period 2017-2021.
Maria Bawk Ja
Network Coordinator at Kachin Women Peace NetworkMaria Bawk Ja is of Kachin-Jinghpaw ethnicity and was born in Myitkyina, Kachin State, Myanmar. She is a women’s rights activist working to promote human rights and equality in Myanmar and has been advocating for women’s rights and justice for over a decade in Kachin society. Since 2019, Maria Bawk Ja has served as the Network Coordinator of the Kachin Women Peace Network which works for promoting gender equality and women’s peace and security by doing activities such as women’s empowerment, women media, research, documentation and emergency humanitarian response in the Kachin region. She is also a steering committee member of the Gender Equality Network and holds various positions in other network organisations focused on women’ rights, justice and peace. From 2011 to 2016, Maria Bawk Ja worked as a human rights trainer in Kachin State, and from 2017 to 2018, served as the joint general secretary of the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand. Additionally, she also participated in other local network organizations dedicated to human rights and gender equality. Before joining to the women’s rights organisations, Maria Bawk Ja volunteered as a high school teacher in remote areas of Kachin state from 2008 to 2009.
Artemis Akbary
Executive Director of Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organization (ALO)- Second Plenary – The State of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in the Indo-Pacific: Perspectives and Insights
- Concurrent Session 1
Artemis Akbary is the Executive Director of the Afghanistan LGBTIQ+ Organisation (ALO), a leading advocacy organisation dedicated to the rights of LGBTIQ+ individuals, particularly in conflict and post-conflict settings with a main focus on Afghanistan. Their work involves engaging with international accountability mechanisms to ensure justice and accountability for marginalized groups including LGBTIQ victims. With extensive experience advocating for LGBTIQ+ refugees at the EU level, Artemis is a recognized voice for marginalized communities. Artemis has addressed global human rights issues at forums such as the UN Human Rights Council, and the UN Security Council. Artemis holds an academic background in International Relations and European Politics, with expertise in Queer, Peace, and Security.
Professor Sara E. Davies
Professor of International Relations, Griffith University, Australia and Deputy Director (Indo-Pacific Research) at Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)Professor Sara E. Davies is a Professor of International Relations, Griffith University, Australia and Deputy Director (Indo-Pacific Research), Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). Her research explores human vulnerability in contexts such as forced displacement, gender-based and sexual violence in conflict, and mass disaster events, including epidemics and pandemics. She leads the CEVAW Shocks and Violence Against Women research program, which investigates scalable protection strategies for at-risk populations. Professor Davies is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia and the Australian Institute of International Affairs, and has recently been appointed as a member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Health, Migration and Displacement.
Hnin Shwe Zin Hlaing
Hnin Shwe Zin Hlaing advocates gender equality and women’s rights in Burma/Myanmar. She has been actively working in the areas of preventing and responding to gender-based violence through research, evidence-informed advocacy, and public campaigns since 2014. After the attempted coup in February 2021, she became involved extensively in advocating for women’s meaningful participation and representation in the peace and security efforts, for addressing conflict-related sexual violence to eradicate the system of impunity, and for gendering emergency assistance. She holds a master’s degree in Gender and Development Studies from the Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand.
Okkar Shein
Head of Program at Gender Equality NetworkOkkar Shein is the Head of Program at Gender Equality Network and a development professional with 10+ years of experience in women’s empowerment, leadership, and community-driven initiatives. He holds degrees in health (Myanmar) and public management (New Zealand). Skilled and experienced in community development, gender mainstreaming, and gender-based violence, he delivers high-impact programs through direct and partner-led approaches. Amid Myanmar’s ongoing crisis, he collaborates with UN agencies, donors, and embassies, strategically advocating for Women, Peace, and Security to enhance the effectiveness of international assistance in Myanmar’s rapidly changing context.
Dr Farkhondeh Akbari
Research Fellow at ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEVAW) at Monash UniversityFarkhondeh Akbari is a Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women (CEVAW) at Monash University, where she researches inclusive peace, non-state armed actors’ diplomacy, feminist foreign policy, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. She received her PhD in diplomatic studies from the Australian National University. Her thesis examined the required characteristics for non-state armed actors to engage meaningfully in diplomacy for the purpose of peace settlements and studied the cases of the Taliban in Afghanistan and the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. Farkhondeh leads a grassroots not-for-profit NGO in Afghanistan working on women's empowerment. Her forthcoming book on ‘Women, Peace and Security in Afghanistan' (2025), coauthored with Jacqui True uses scholarly research to advocate for women's rights and inclusive peace in Afghanistan.
Vichuta Ly
Ms. Vichuta Ly is a Cambodian-born lawyer and human rights advocate. She pursued higher
education in Canada, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biochemistry in 1992 and 1994, respectively. She later obtained her law degree (LLB) in 1998. In 2008, she completed the Chevening Fellowship Programme at University College London (UCL), UK, receiving a
certificate in Gender, Social Justice, and Citizenship, with a specialization in gender analysis and policy drafting.
In 1999, Ms. Ly returned to Cambodia and identified a critical gap in legal services for women and child victims. This realization led her to establish the Legal Support for Children and Women (LSCW) in 2002—a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to providing free legal aid to victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault. Under her leadership, LSCW has provided legal assistance to over 100 victims annually, including women, children, and men subjected to sexual and labor exploitation, such as migrant labor and the abuse of fishermen. The organization collaborates with several regional and international networks, including NGO-CEDAW, the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women (GAATW), Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), and the Mekong Migration Network (MMN).
Ms. Ly has conducted extensive research on gender-based violence, human trafficking,
migration, and cross-border trafficking in Cambodia. Her notable studies include Gender, Human Trafficking, and the Criminal Justice System in Cambodia and Gender Analysis of the Patterns of Human Trafficking into and through Koh Kong Province. In 2009, she was invited as an expert witness at the Court of Women on Human Trafficking in Bali, Indonesia. In 2011, she served as a panelist at a women’s hearing on gender-based violence during the Khmer Rouge regime in Phnom Penh. In 2014 and 2015, she was invited by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to provide expert input on transnational organized crime in Vienna and Geneva. Ms. Ly and her team have also worked on cross-border trafficking cases in cooperation with authorities and organizations in Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Ms. Ly has continued her advocacy in policy development to support women and children at
both national and international levels. Through her unwavering dedication, she has made a
significant impact on strengthening the rule of law, enhancing access to justice, and advancing the protection of human rights in Cambodia.
Dr Susan Risal Lamsal
Chief Executive Officer at Nagarik AawazSusan is a long term peace practitioner based in Kathmandu, Nepal. She is a Chief Executive Officer of Nagarik Aawaz a feminist peacebuilding organization in Nepal which works with conflict-affected youth and women. Susan holds Masters Degree in Masters in Business Administration from Tribhuvan University of Nepal and another Masters degree and PhD degree in Applied Conflict Transformation Studies from Pannasastra University of Cambodia which is a collaborative programme between Center for Peace Studies and Pannasatra University, Cambodia. Her Phd Research topic was “Defining Justice and Dignity through gendered peacebuilding: A Case Analysis of women who faced sexual violence in the time of conflict in Nepal.
Lilly Be’Soer Kolts
Founder and Executive Director of Voice for ChangeFrom Jiwaka Province. I am a women’s rights activist and advocate for the political, economic and social empowerment of women. I am the Founder and Executive Director for a non-government organization Voice for Change focusing on advocacy for gender equality and building alliances to end all forms of violence and discriminations against women and girls. I am the Chairperson of the Highlands Regional Human Rights Defenders Movement Network, a part of our newly established regional network of WHRDs and connected with the pacific network of Women working Against Violence Against women. I am a Committee Member to the Jiwaka Provincial Village Courts Board. I am on the National Committee on Ending Violence Against women/Girls. I often lead in facilitating Conflict Resolutions and Peace Mediations among the parties in tribal conflict in our past and present internal tribal conflicts and wars. In 2010 I was awarded a Pacific Human Rights Defenders Award, and this recognition was shared with my whole family and organization. The experiences of both my personal life and my activism work helps me to connect well with women who are in similar situations. What inspires me is, many people give me the opportunity to try to help them. The many people look up to me for advice and guidance which I am able to offer.
The best part of my life journeys and activisms work are my 6 children (5 girls and 1 boy) who have given the opportunity to be a mom and my children have played a vital role in the growth of Voice for Change. My Leadership is to inspire others to think right, act responsible and creating equal opportunities for others to change for better.
Hitomi Fujimoto
Policy and Advocacy Officer for Asia at the Global Survivors Fund- Third Plenary - Survivor-Centred Approaches to Addressing CRSV: From Knowledge to Action
- Second Plenary - Centering Survivors Access to Justice
Hitomi Fujimoto is the Policy and Advocacy Officer for Asia at the Global Survivors Fund, where she leads advocacy efforts currently in Myanmar, Timor-Leste, Cambodia, and Nepal, with the goal of improving access to reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Previously, Hitomi worked in the field of child rights, protection, and gender at the United Nations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. She holds a Master's degree in International Development, with a specialization in participatory approach.
Dr Phyu Phyu Oo
Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Griffith UniversityDr Phyu Phyu Oo is a Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Griffith University. She holds a Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in International Relations from Griffith University. Her research focuses on addressing critical issues related to sexual and gender-based violence in conflict and other crises. With over a decade of experience as a practitioner in development and humanitarian settings across the Asia-Pacific region, she brings academic expertise and practical insight to her work. Dr Oo was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship in 2014 and a Griffith Postgraduate Scholarship in 2019. Her book, Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Myanmar: The Role of the State, was recognised with the John Legge Thesis Prize for the best thesis in Asian Studies by the Asian Studies Association of Australia.
Dr Julie Ballangarry
Associate Investigator at Centre for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)- First Nations Experience of CRSV
- Discussion: Caroline Martin, Dr Fiona Hukula, with Dr Julie Ballangarry
Dr Julie Ballangarry is a proud Gumbaynggirr/Dunghutti woman and Associate Investigator with the Centre for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). Her research focuses on Indigenous rights and recognition, First Nations gender justice, and the structural conditions that sustain inequality and violence against Indigenous peoples, communities, and women. Julie is passionate about how Indigenous voices — including ways of being, knowing, and doing — can strengthen policy and improve outcomes for Indigenous peoples. She brings an Indigenous feminist and decolonial lens to her work and is nationally recognised for her leadership in First Nations and Feminist Foreign Policy.
Professor Bina D'Costa
Chief Investigator at ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW)Bina is a Professor at the Department of International Relations at the Australian National University, an ARC Future Fellow and a Chief Investigator at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW). She is also a UN Special Procedures Mandate Holder in the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent. Bina previously served at UNICEF’s Office of Research and led research-led policy advocacy in the Horn of Africa, Jordan, Lebanon, Europe, and Bangladesh. She has advised the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, OHCHR, International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh, and various civil society justice initiatives in Asia. Her current focus is on displaced children’s protection in global humanitarian emergencies including trafficking/smuggling, child/early marriage, child labour and gender justice issues. She has published many essays and seven books, including Nationbuilding, Gender and War Crimes in South Asia and Children and the Politics of Violence. She received the Distinguished Alumni Award (Peace Studies), University of Notre Dame, United States and the Ann Tickner Award from the International Studies Association.
Dr Louise Olsson
Research Director, Department of Global Politics, Norms, and Societies at Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), NorwayDr. Louise Olsson, Research Director, Department of Global Politics, Norms, and Societies, at the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), Norway. Olsson’s research focuses on gendered dimensions of war and effects of conflict resolution on women’s empowerment. She is the author of articles appearing in Global Governance, Journal of Global Security Studies, and International Peacekeeping. Olsson regularly contributes to research-policy dialogue and the effective use of research in policy development and decision-making. For example, Olsson arranged a series of Dialog Forums together with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and NUPI during Norway’s term in the Security Council. Olsson got her PhD from the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, Sweden, in 2007 She began her career already in 1999 by contributing to the UN-led project Mainstreaming a Gender Perspective in Multidimensional Peace Operations.
Sa Im Meas
Program Coordinator for Gender and Inclusion at DCA CambodiaSa Im Meas has over 15 years of experience in gender justice and human rights, with a strong focus on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), trafficking, and migration. At ADHOC, she led interventions, advocacy, and safe repatriation efforts as Deputy Head of the Women and Children’s Rights Section and interviewed survivors of forced marriage under the Khmer Rouge. Since May 2023, she has been Program Coordinator for Gender and Inclusion at DCA Cambodia, providing technical and funding support to communities and rights defenders. She ensures SGBV initiatives are inclusive and empowering for women, youth, and marginalized groups across Cambodia.
Chamindra Weerawardhana
Co-founder and Acting Directress of Consortium for Intersectional JusticeChamindra Weerawardhana is the co-founder and Acting Directress of the Consortium for Intersectional Justice, an international expert body that specializes in the thematic areas of a) promoting democracy and b) business and human rights. She is a commissioner at the O’Neill-LANCT Commission on racism, structural discrimination and global health, housed at the O’Neill Institute at Georgetown University. Her discipline is international politics, with dual specialization in the politics of deeply divided places [primary area expertise: Sri Lanka and Northern Ireland] and feminist international relations. She is the author of the 2018 monograph Decolonising Peacebuilding, many peer-reviewed publications, and media contributions.
Helen Stenger
Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Monash UniversityHelen Stenger is a Research Fellow at the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Monash University. She holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations from Monash University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Leiden University and a Master of Science in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Groningen. Her research interest lies at the intersection of extremism, including Islamist, far-right and Buddhist, and gender-based violence. Helen Stenger’s work has been published in the European Journal of International Security, Critical Studies on Terrorism, and European Journal of Politics and Gender. Her book is Returning Home: An Intersectional Analysis of the Repatriation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Foreign Fighters was recently published in the De Gruyter Women, Peace and Security series.
Queenie Tomaro
PhD Candidate at School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University.Queenie Pearl V. Tomaro is a PhD Candidate at the School of Government and International Relations, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. She is also a faculty member at the Department of Political Science, Mindanao State University—IIT, Philippines. Her research interests include Gender, Peace and Security, and Preventing Violent Extremism.
Hana Hanifah
PhD student at Monash University and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against WomenHana Hanifah is a PhD student at Monash University and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Her research focuses on anti-violence against women policy adoption at the sub-national level in Indonesia. She is an Australia Awards Scholarship awardee. Before studying at Monash, Hana worked for the Prospera program (Australia-Indonesia Partnership for Economic Development) in Indonesia, contributing to policy development and institutional capacity building to improve gender, disability, and social inclusion outcomes in the Indonesian public sector. Hana holds a master’s degree in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), UK.
Shamah Bulangis
Co-founder and Coordinator of Girls CongressShamah Bulangis is a young queer feminist from the Philippines. She started her activism at
14 as a Peer Educator on Violence Against Women in Northeastern Mindanao and is now the
youngest member of the Global Civil Society Reference Group of the Spotlight Initiative focused
on eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls everywhere. Among her extensive
work both at the local and international level, she serves as co-chair of Transform Education, a
feminist coalition of youth-led networks and young activists with a shared mission to accelerate
progress for gender equality in education, hosted by the UN Girls Education Initiative. She is also the co-founder and coordinator of Girls Congress, a young feminist organization in Dumaguete, Philippines.
Margareth Muthama
Women Human Rights Defenders’ (WHRDs) Window Coordinator at Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)Margareth Muthama is the WPHF Women Human Rights Defenders’ (WHRDs) Window Coordinator, Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). Maggie Muthama is a Gender Specialist with over 12 years of experience in providing state and non-state actors with technical advice to develop and implement transformative policies and programmes on peace and security that seek to realize SDG 5 on Gender Equality and SDG 16 on Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions in conflict and post conflict settings. This experience has been gained in organizations including the WPHF, Mercy Corps Kenya, UN Women (Kenya Country Office and Somalia Programme), the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change and RefugePoint International. Maggie holds a master’s degree in law, Development and Globalization (University of London, 2012).
Aiko Nagae
Postgraduate Student in Global Public Health at Griffith UniversityAiko Nagae is a postgraduate student in Global Public Health at Griffith University, specialising in planetary and women's health. Her research focuses on FGM/C in Southeast Asia, where she is conducting a scoping review to examine its intersectional drivers and outcomes. This study is part of her master’s dissertation supervised by Prof. Sara Davies, Dr. Connie Gan, and Valentina Volpe, in collaboration with the CEVAW and UNFPA. Aiko also engages in research that assesses the social impact of medical outreach programs in remote Australian communities. With a strong commitment to improving justice for vulnerable populations, Aiko’s work aims to bridge gaps in public health and advocate for sustainable, equitable healthcare solutions globally.
Priya Dhanani
PhD candidate at ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against WomenPriya Dhanani is a queer social justice activist, community organizer, and PhD candidate at Monash University under the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Her research investigates how geopolitical tensions, international aid/resources, and enduring colonial legacies have shaped feminist movements in Fiji, with a particular focus on intergenerational dynamics and their capacity to address gender-based violence (GBV). She has worked in grassroots, development, and humanitarian settings on GBV, gender justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and child protection. In 2023, she received the Foreign Policy LGBTQIA+ Out Award. Priya also serves on the board of the Coalition of Feminists for Social Change and the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice while pursuing a certification in pleasure activism at the Atlanta Institute of Tantra and Sexuality.
Ar Mee Mar
Program Coordinator for Women Research and Documentation at Burmese Women's Union (BWU)Ar Mee is an ethnic minority who was born in a conflict-affected area. She experienced armed conflict and various human rights violations, including forced displacement, and witnessed the atrocities committed by the military junta from a young age. These experiences motivated her to work for conflict-affected people, especially women.
Since 2017, Ar Mee has been actively involving in advocating for minority rights and marginalized communities. Her work spans the thematic areas of human rights, gender equality, peacebuilding, and CRSV in conflict settings.
Currently, Ar Mee is working as the Program Coordinator for Women Research and Documentation at Burmese Women’s Union (BWU). In her organization, Ar Mee is actively engaged in addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), including conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), with a focus on documentation, research, evidence-based advocacy, and survivor support services.
Chan Thinzar Min Thein
Executive Committee Member at Women Alliance Burma (WAB)Chan is an Executive Committee Member of Women Alliance Burma (WAB) and a dedicated activist for women’s rights and democracy in Myanmar. Since the 2021 military coup, she has been at the forefront of protests against the Military Junta, actively participating in Mandalay Strikes and leading guerrilla strikes.
In June 2021, she participated in organizing and leading women’s strikes in Mandalay. As the movement grew, women’s strike leaders from different areas formed a network to strengthen their activism. This collaboration led to the founding of Women Alliance Burma in September 2021.
As part of WAB, she continues to lead women’s strikes and people power movements, advocating for gender equality and human rights. Chan is committed to supporting women’s needs, raising awareness of women’s rights, and addressing issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
Angela Apa
Director of Kup Women for Peace (KWP)Angela Apa is Director of Kup Women for Peace (KWP), formed as a women’s organisation over 25 years ago to bring an end to tribal fights in the Kup area of the Simbu Province in Papua New Guinea (PNG). KWP provides services for women and families across the province supporting communities in addressing any form of violence. Angela is an active human rights defender, assisting survivors of sorcery related violence and gender-based violence in the Highlands region. A true inspiration for peace and justice for women and girls, she and other founding members marched into conflicts, met ‘secretly’ in plain sight devising strategies for mediation and reconciliation.
Noor Azizah
Noor Azizah, a Rohingya refugee, fled genocide in Myanmar and resettled in Sydney with her family at age 8 in 2003. Their journey involved navigating jungles, evading danger, and enduring hunger.
Motivated by the plight of Rohingya women facing atrocities like systematic rape and torture, Noor became a dedicated advocate. She co-founded the Rohingya Maìyafuìnor Collaborative Network, focusing on human rights, gender-based violence, and education. Noor earned a Bachelor of Education in Primary and TESOL from the University of Sydney, followed by a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies. Her dedication earned her accolades, including NSW Young Woman of the Year (2024) and the Global Citizen Youth Leader (2024) award.
Noor has collaborated with prominent figures such as UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett and activist Craig Andrew Foster. She has spoken at the United Nations on Rohingya women's rights and serves as a refugee expert in global forums on gender-based violence, education, and statelessness.
She is also a member of Australia’s Refugee Advisory Panel and contributes to various initiatives, including the Gender Audit Team, the U.S. Consulate General's Sydney Youth Advisory Council, the UN 30 for 20 Network, and the NSW Westminster Bridge Young Leaders Network. Noor's journey exemplifies resilience, compassion, and dedication to a better world.
Min Khant Tar
A Tar, also known as Min Khant Tar, is a transgender woman from Myanmar and a passionate advocate for gender equality and human rights, with over 12 years of experience in community empowerment and program coordination. She holds academic qualifications from Yadanarbon, Chiang Mai, and Mahidol Universities. A Tar is a winner of the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia 2023 (Media & Communication), recognized for her use of media platforms to advocate for human rights. Through her roles in advocacy, media, and leadership, she empowers marginalized communities and champions gender-responsive approaches in conflict-affected regions.