WHO award shines spotlight on Thailand's statistical agency and tobacco control

Tobacco industry has used deception and lies to market its deadly tobacco products and lure children and young people to killer addiction over the decades. But it was only data, science and evidence that provided rock solid ground to health justice and corporate accountability advocates worldwide to expose the nefarious designs of tobacco industry, and advance historic progress in form of global tobacco treaty, as well as range of domestic laws and its enforcement.

[podcast] Connect the dots: Neuroscience of effective empathy, gender inequality, CEDAW


This podcast features Michaela Guthridge, a noted gender and women's human rights advocate, who connects the dots between effective #empathy and gender inequality. She also shares how it can help advance progress on commitments enshrined in legally-binding treaties such as CEDAW.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Connect the dots: Neuroscience of effective empathy, gender inequality, CEDAW

[podcast] Walk the talk on "no one is left behind" when it comes to all goals and targets of SDGs and transgender peoples

This podcast features Nachale Boonyapisomparn or Hua who is a trans woman activist who has founded powerful, successful support and advocacy groups and lasting networks to support health and human rights of transgender and LGB people locally and globally. Sisters and Thai TGA (Foundation of Transgender Alliance for Human Rights) are two transgender peoples-led organisations in Thailand - both of whom were co-founded by Hua, along with Asia Pacific Transgender Network. She is currently with Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice.

[video] #WalkTheTalk on #NoOneLeftBehind: Deliver on all #SDGs goals and targets for transgender people

Strong local actions are pivotal to reduce NCDs, TB and tobacco use in Bangladesh


Unless global goals do not become a reality in the lives of every person worldwide, we will fail to deliver on those promises. Local actions are key. That is why the Mayors of several municipalities in Bangladesh and other local government leaders and experts had united to form the Bangladesh Mayors’ Alliance for Healthy Cities in 2019.

[podcast] WHO Awardee Thai NSO underlines role of data and survey in tobacco control

This podcast features Dr Piyanuch Wuttisorn, Director General of National Statistical Office of Thailand (TNSO), which was conferred upon the coveted 2023 World Health Organization (WHO) Director General's WNTD Award.

Dr Piyanuch has also served earlier as Inspector-General, Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, Thailand; Director, Social Data-based and Indicator Development Office, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council; Senior Advisor in Plan and Policy for Director of the International Cooperation office, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council; and Secretary-General, Office of the National Digital Economy and Society Commission of Thailand.

[video] WHO Awardee Thai National Statistical Office spotlights data to #EndTobacco

Midway to Agenda 2030: Why are we off the track on gender equality?

With only 90 months left to fulfil the Agenda 2030 promises made by our governments 90 months ago, we are far off the track. A United Nations report released this week shows that out of the 114 countries studied, not one has achieved gender equality. Over 99% women and girls live in a country with low women’s empowerment and a big gender gap. The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 also had painted a grim picture, including on the progress made on delivering the goals for gender equality, which is crucial to achieving each of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

[podcast] If governments truly believe in gender equality, then why are people in sex work on blindspot?

This Podcast features Meena Seshu, a force for change on gender and development justice, especially for sex workers, dalit women, and other communities which are often 'left behind' in development discourses. She founded SANGRAM and also helped create VAMP (Veshya Anyay Mukti Parishad) - a collective of people in sex work.

[podcast] Gender-affirming hormonal therapy for transgender people: When will it be a reality for those in-need?

This Podcast features Dr Jakkrapatara Boonruang (Dr Fair), who is a research physician at Thailand's Institute of HIV Research and Innovation (IHRI). He shares insights about gender affirming hormonal therapy for transgender people, barriers to its access, and recommendations on how to scale it up with inclusion, rights, ethics, people-centric approaches, and science.

[video] If governments truly believe in #GenderEquality then why are people in #SexWork on blindspot?

[podcast] Transgender rights are human rights, asserts Nhuun Yodmuang of APTN

This Podcast features Nhuun Wannapong Yodmuang of Asia Pacific Transgender Network (APTN), who is a Thai transgender woman and an advocate with an academic background in International Human Rights Law. She had worked with local and regional organisations on trans rights in the context of several countries in Asia, engaging with international advocacy spaces such as United Nation bodies.

She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent, who is among those journalists who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Is Cambodia on track to deliver on promises of sexual and reproductive health and rights?

This Podcast features Dr Saphon Somolireasmey, Associate Executive Director of the Reproductive Health Association of Cambodia (RHAC). With her 15 years of working in research field and communities supports, Somolireasmey is strongly passionate in continuing her research field, particularly in gender lensed reflecting Cambodian social contexts.

She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent and development communication professional, who is among those journalists who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Bodily autonomy and sexual health and rights are vital to advance progress towards SDGs

This Podcast features Marevic Parcon, Executive Director at Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR), a southern-based global network that connects and strengthens movements for the promotion and advancement of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and justice. She led the implementation of the Safe Abortion Advocacy Project that enhanced the capacity of grassroots organisations to undertake safe abortion advocacy and established national networks to address abortion stigma at multiple levels.

She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent and development communication professional, who is among those journalists who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Development justice is the bedrock for gender justice, food sovereignty and global peace


This Podcast features Azra Talat Sayeed, a globally recognised political activist and actively involved with advancing women’s and peasant rights. She has made important contributions to achieving gender justice and building peasant movements not only in Pakistan but also in Asia Pacific and worldwide. Azra Sayeed is the founder and Executive Director of Roots for Equity, a Karachi-based organisation that works with the most vulnerable and marginalized communities that include small and landless farmers, women and religious minorities. She is the Chairperson of Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) as well as of the International Women's Alliance, which is a grassroots alliance of women’s organizations, networks and individuals working to advance the global anti-imperialist, and progressive women’s movement. She has also served as Vice Chairperson of The International League of Peoples Struggle.

She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent and development communication professional, who is among those journalists who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. 

Listen to this podcast on Apple PodcastsAmazon MusicGoogle PodcastsSpotifyStitcherTuneInaCastPodtailBluBrryHimalayaListenNotesAmerican PodcastsCastBox FMIvy FMPlayer FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[video] Transgender rights are human rights

[podcast] To achieve gender equality, stop all conflicts, and ensure development justice for all, including indigenous and LGBTQIAP+ peoples


This Podcast features Matcha Phornin, an ethnic minority/ indigenous lesbian feminist, and a human rights defender from the Chiangmai - Tak - Maehongson border of Thailand - Myanmar where an armed conflict is still ongoing. She is the founder and executive director of Sangsan Anakot Yawachon, an organization that works to advancing the rights of the Indigenous people especially LGBTQIAP+, women and girls.

She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent and development communication professional, who is among those journalists who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda. 

[video] We fail on gender equality and SDGs if we fail to stop conflicts and work on development justice

[podcast] Integrated development justice for LGBTQIAP+ people is vital

This Podcast features Darvesh Singh Yadavendra, founder member of a community-based organization - Pahal Foundation, who works on the health, social justice and inclusion and rights of gay men and transgender community. He is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent and development communication professional, who is among those journalists who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Listen to this podcast on Apple PodcastsAmazon MusicGoogle PodcastsSpotifyStitcherTuneInaCastPodtailBluBrryHimalayaListenNotesAmerican PodcastsCastBox FMIvy FMPlayer FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Long walk to gender equality and human rights in Arab and African nations

This podcast features Gozde Ones of RAWSA (Regional Advocacy for Women’s Sustainable Advancement Alliance for African & Arab States). She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, journalist, CNS Special Correspondent, and development communication professional, and one of those media actors who will be onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

Listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, aCast, Podtail, BluBrry, Himalaya, ListenNotes, American Podcasts, CastBox FM, Ivy FM, Player FM, and other podcast streaming platforms.

[podcast] Transgender rights and gender justice: Translate promises into realities

This Podcast features Abhina Aher, a leading #ForceForChange for gender equality and transgender rights and justice. She is in conversation with Sumita Thapar, CNS Special Correspondent, and development communication professional, and one of those media actors who will onsite at the upcoming Women Deliver 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

[video] Have we progressed on gender equality and human rights in Arab and African states?

[podcast] Taiwan's leadership on making undetectable equals untransmittable is vital to #endAIDS and #humanrights

Listen to this Podcast featuring Fletcher Yi-Chi Chiu who is the Director of Communications of Persons with HIV/AIDS Rights Advocacy Association of Taiwan (PRAA Taiwan) and also serves as Asia Pacific Board Member of Y+Global (Global Network of Young People Living with HIV). Fletcher is in conversation with CNS founder and Managing Editor Shobha Shukla, in lead up to Women Deliver 2023 and International HIV Science Congress of International AIDS Society in Brisbane, Australia.

[video] Taiwan's leadership on #UequalsU: Making undetectable-equals-untransmittable a reality for every person with HIV is vital to #endAIDS