Standing Up: Stories of Courage and Resilience

“I will definitely participate if there are other events like this. I found the stories compelling and meaningful. They showed a reality not often portrayed. The storytellers allowed the audience to see them vulnerable but at the same time so powerful on that stage. As a woman, I could not only relate to their experience but also feel so powerful after hearing how they found the courage to act and do something to change their situation and the reality around them. I believe it's vital to continue sharing these stories, and I feel inspired to work even harder to overcome difficulties.”

“I really appreciated the strength and the courage of these women who, tonight, really exposed themselves and revealed their deepest stories; I know that wasn't easy. But I believe that showing vulnerability and being true to others is what could really make a change, even if a small one, a meaningful one.”

"As a man, I felt almost ashamed by the story of the first storyteller tonight. These things really shouldn't happen; it really hurts just to write about this. This was really great and moving. It was my first time at this kind of event, and I really appreciated it."

Cindy Sirinya Bishop is an actress, host and gender equality advocate based in Bangkok. In 2018, Cindy founded #DontTellMeHowToDress, a social movement against gender-based violence and sexual assault. A mother of two, Cindy has also penned a children’s book called “My Body My Rules'' on the topics of body autonomy, consent and respect. In 2020, she was appointed UN Women's Goodwill Ambassador to Asia Pacific and was named one of BBC’s 100 Most Influential Women 2020. Cindy uses creative and innovative ways to educate, empower and inspire including recently launching a workshop for girls on menstrual health and body confidence.

Katherine Alano is a multifaceted artist and advocate against rape in the Philippines. A survivor fighting a very public battle with rape in the local media, Kat is a founder of Empower, a non- profit organisation that focuses on the compassionate education of the Filipino people and aims to end the stigma around rape and sexual abuse. Kat has been very active in school seminars, speaking at many of the biggest universities and schools in the Philippines and was invited to do a Tedx talk which she entitled “Is rape culture the new social cancer?” She has also worked on campaigns with organisations such as the Office of the Vice President, the Swedish and UK embassies to further improve the understanding and handling of rape and rape victims across the country.

Watcharapon Kukaewkasem (Sia) is an advocate, social worker and a survivor of domestic violence, but most people see her as the “big sister and a friend” who really listens and really cares. Sia’s heart has always been for people to experience healing and to know the power of their story and their voice. Sia currently works alongside a mostly migrant population of women and children who live in high-risk situations along the Thai- Myanmar border. In Sia’s free time, you can find her playing football, jogging the hills of Maesot, practicing her mean Muay Thai kicks, and maybe even cooking up an extravagant meal.

Tricia Ho Sze Mei is a queer advocate and feminist that works closely with organisational system design, project management, and community building. They are currently working with Engage Media on digital rights and security in the Asia-Pacific region.

Jiwon Park is the CEO and founder of the femtech company SAIB & Co., based in Korea. SAIB is a sexual wellness brand that helps women maintain their sexual and reproductive health. The brand name SAIB flips the word BIAS, signaling the company's mission to overturn negative biases toward women exercising sexual agency. Jiwon is an award-winning designer, serial entrepreneur, and educator. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design(RISD), was a Fulbright Scholar, and has over 14 years of experience in design. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, she served as an Assistant Professor at UT Austin in Texas.