RDC Women Empowerment Conference 2024

Empowered Women, Empowered Community

Initiatives like the RDC Women Empowerment Conference (RDC WEC) 2024 serve as a transformative platform, fostering dialogue, leadership and strategic engagement among women from across Asia Pacific countries. Women in the region are increasingly recognized as leaders and agents of change, with the potential to improve productivity, enhance ecosystem conservation, and create more sustainable systems. While progress remains slow, the strength, resilience, and entrepreneurial spirit of women in Asia-Pacific is inspiring and has the potential to drive further advancements in women’s role in the community.

This year the focus for our RDC WEC in on mental health. There is growing evidence that many women around the world are subjected to social and economic challenges that can put them at a greater risk for poor mental health. Mental health issues among women in the Asia Pacific region particularly are a significant concern, with various factors impacting their well-being. Research has revealed that women worldwide are suffering three times more than men when it comes to mental health, with women in the Asia-Pacific (APC) region being especially affected as they encounter physical, behavioral, and mental health issues in different ways. A study sponsored by the National Asian Women’s Health Organization found that conflicting cultural values, unrealistic standards, and stigma contribute to low self-esteem and fear of seeking help for mental health issues among the APC women.

Hence there is the need for targeted interventions and support systems to address the mental health needs of women in the Asia Pacific region, taking into account the cultural, social, and environmental factors that influence their well-being.
It is critical to understand and help reduce the difficulties women are facing in their daily lives as they strive to balance family, community, and career obligations; comply with cultural expectations; find sanctuary from violence; and/or secure financial independence.

RDCWEC conference

Objectives

RDCWEC Objectives

Understanding Cultural Expectations on Mental Health

To examine the influence of cultural expectations on women’s mental health, including the stigma associated with seeking help and the pressure to balance family, community and career obligations.

Promoting Wellness and Equity

To promote wellness, prevention, intervention, treatment, recovery and continuous care, as well as recognizing and improving mental health disparities and promoting equity in mental health care.

Community Building and Advocacy

To create a community of women’s mental health advocates that furthers structural and systemic change in women’s mental health care.

Understanding Mental Illness and Related Treatment & Management

To empower women with understanding of mental health conditions and related therapies, thereby enabling the development of dedicated services to support their mental well-being.

RDCWEC conference

Our Speakers and Attendees

Meet the global community of NGOs, leaders and impactful leaders taking the stage at RDCWEC Conference Summit 2024

Datin Seri Hajah Azlin Hezri
Vice President, KASIH
Wife of YB Datuk Seri Dr. Haji Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health

Dr. Hanan Dover
Clinical Director,
Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)

Dr. Diana Setiyawati
Director
Centre for Public Mental Health, Faculty of Psychology, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Dr. Jamilah Hanum
Assistant Professor
Department of Psychology, AbdulHamid AbuSulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic
Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia