We are so excited to share with you Creating CARE and Sustaining Well-Being: Reflections from Queer Organizing across South and Southeast Asia!

A collaborative endeavor by Rima Athar, Liy Yusof and Sonaksha Iyengar–this publication illustrates conversations & reflections on building a framework for action on holistic well-being for activists, which emerged at the CARE Regional Synthesis Meeting organized by CSBR | the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies, and APTN | the Asia Pacific Transgender Network, in Chiang Mai in November 2018.

As the final step of the year long CARE program, the Regional Synthesis Meeting brought together 23 activists from 19 organizations across Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste, and Vietnam. Some had been involved in previous CARE interventions, and some were new to the program.

Over the 5 days together we explored theory and analysis, embodied somatic practices, reflective discussions, and the strategic application of shared learnings to our daily personal and organizing experiences. As such, the convening created a dynamic space for us to reflect and delve deeper into how a holistic approach to well-being could sustain queer organizing across the regions.

Co-facilitated by Rima Athar (CSBR), Hua Boonyapisomparn (APTN), Lin Chew (IWE-the Institute for Women’s Empowerment) & Ginger Norwood (IWP-International Women’s Partnership for Peace & Justice)— the methodology was collaboratively developed drawing from each of our existing work on well-being, integrated security & feminist leadership praxis.

This book is intended as a light stroll through the workshop as we held it: offering some of the basic methodology, activities and exercises; mapping some of the common needs & challenges; and documenting reflections on steps forward.

While CARE was rooted in the experiences, needs and challenges of queer activists across South and Southeast Asia, we hope this documentation can inspire and inform conversations, workshops and strategic action to advance healing, well-being & resilience work amongst activists across other regions and contexts as well.

Download the Publication Here

Thanks again to all the activists who participated in CARE and made this possible!

Questions? Comments? Want to support our work?
Get in touch with us at: coordinator@csbronline.org.