Voices of Change: Storytelling for Gender Equality

The storytelling event Standing Up: Stories of Courage and Resilience brought together four remarkable storytellers to share their personal journeys of resilience and advocacy, highlighting the transformative power of lived experiences to challenge gender inequality, break stigmas, and inspire meaningful change. Organized by UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in partnership with non-profit storytelling sensation The Moth, the event was held on June 9, 2023, at the Bangkok Art and Cultural Center.

The four storytellers featured in the event were selected following an intensive storytelling workshop organized by UN Women and delivered by The Moth, renowned for its excellence in helping people find their stories and learn the art and craft of storytelling. The workshop brought together 20 participants from nine countries across Asia and the Pacific, providing a platform to explore and refine their personal narratives while inspiring collective action for gender equality and the elimination of gender-based violence. Through mentorship and collaboration, these storytellers developed compelling stories that reflect their unique experiences and advocacy, ultimately leading to the selection of these four voices to take the stage.

The evening began with Katherine Alano (Kat) from the Philippines, who recounted her journey as a survivor of sexual violence. Kat shared how speaking out publicly, despite societal stigma, empowered her to establish Empower, a nonprofit that educates communities about sexual violence and advocates for systemic reforms.

Watch Kat’s story

Tricia Ho brought a powerful perspective on LGBTQI+ rights. They described their journey of navigating discrimination and advocating for inclusivity, emphasizing the importance of creating safe spaces for marginalized communities. As a queer advocate, Tricia works to build systems that uphold digital rights and foster community resilience across the region.

Watch Tricia’s story

From Thailand, Watcharapon Kukaewkasem, known as Sia, shared her story of growing up in a household impacted by domestic abuse and her subsequent transformation into a social worker and advocate. Sia now works along the Thai-Myanmar border, supporting migrant women and children in high-risk situations, turning her experiences into a mission to protect others.

Watch Sia’s story

Jiwon Park from South Korea spoke about her efforts to break taboos around women’s health and sexuality. As the founder of SAIB & Co., a sexual wellness brand, Jiwon highlighted how cultural expectations shaped her journey and how she used her entrepreneurial skills to create a platform that empowers women to prioritize their sexuality, health, and well-being.

Watch Jiwon’s story

“Storytelling has a unique power to humanize experiences, foster empathy, and inspire action. Through this collaboration with The Moth, UN Women highlighted the importance of sharing stories to foster empathy and understanding, paving the way to challenge harmful norms and promote meaningful change,” said Melissa Alvarado, UN Women’s Regional Programme Manager on ending Violence against Women. “These storytellers reminded us that by amplifying diverse voices, we can continue to break barriers and build a world where equality is not just an aspiration but a reality,” she added.

The event left a profound impact on the audience, with many expressing their appreciation for the courage and vulnerability of the storytellers. One male attendee shared his heartfelt feedback: "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 a small one, but a meaningful one. As a man, I felt almost ashamed by the story of the first panelist tonight. These things really shouldn’t happen; it really hurts just to write about this. Anyway, this was really great and moving. It was my first time at this kind of event, and I really appreciated it." His reflections underscored the event’s power to foster empathy and challenge societal norms.

The storytelling event was made possible through the generous support of the Government of the Republic of Korea, the Government of Sweden, and Charles & Keith. Their contributions were instrumental in creating a platform to amplify voices and foster dialogue on gender equality.

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