Asian Women Development Plan International Australia
29th November 2025
Asian Women Development Plan International (AWDPI) is a global non-profit organisation dedicated to eliminating discrimination and gender-based violence against Asian women living overseas, while advancing their empowerment and development. Founded in Belgium in 2020, AWDPI now operates across more than 30 countries and regions throughout Europe, North America, and the Asia-Pacific.
In March 2025, AWDPI launched its Australian national office in Victoria, with a mission to provide immediate support services including counselling, casework, language assistance, financial aid, and crisis intervention. AWDPI Australia also seeks to build strong cross-sector partnerships—spanning government, academia, business, and community—to drive advocacy, education, and empowerment initiatives that address gender-based violence and promote women’s wellbeing.
As part of this milestone, AWDPI Australia hosted its official launch event on 29 November 2025. CEO Cindy Gui invited Dr Anne Pang to participate as a panelist, recognising her expertise as a community leader and advocate for women’s safety, particularly in relation to gender equality in Chinese cultural contexts and the social dynamics surrounding family violence within Chinese Australian communities.
The event featured messages of support and attendance from distinguished government representatives, including the Hon. Natalie Hutchins MP (Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Women), Ms Cindy McLeish MP, Mr Aiv Puglielli MP, and Cr Annisa Li Zhang, Deputy Mayor of the City of Glen Eira.
A special address by Ms Isabel Zhang, CEO of the Australia Institute for Diversity in Mental Health and Board Director of AWDPI Australia, set the stage for the panel discussion by exploring the critical links between mental health, stigma, and domestic violence.
The panel brought together a diverse group of experts:
- Dr Anne Pang, Founder and Instructor of Anne Pang Self Defence
- Dr Sabi Kaphle, Senior Lecturer at CQUniversity Australia and community representative
- A representative from Victoria Police
- Ms Ruyan (Poppy) Tao, Family Law representative from Harry R Song and Associates
Discussion topics included misconceptions and definitions of family violence across cultures, current protection policies and access pathways, and the role of community support in shaping future directions. The session was both engaging and informative, offering practical insights from Victoria Police’s Crime Prevention and Multicultural Liaison team, cultural perspectives from Dr Kaphle, and lived advocacy experience from Dr Pang.
The event was strongly supported by attendees from across government, education, and community sectors, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing gender-based violence.
Guests were also presented with a comprehensive 25-page handbook titled You Are Not Alone: A Support Guide for Asian Women in Australia Experiencing Domestic Violence. This resource provides clear definitions of domestic violence, along with extensive listings of support services, legal assistance, and refugee centres across Australia. It also outlines AWDPI’s future initiatives and collaborative efforts.
The event concluded on a positive and hopeful note, with strong support from Anne’s colleagues, including instructors Kyna Leong and Giulius Canteri, as well as Barry Pang. All attendees recognised the launch as a significant and meaningful step toward building a lasting, impactful organisation dedicated to supporting women in need.
You can view and download the handbook here. [Link]