Herlina Dedy Listiani, Research & MEAL Coordinator at DEEP EnGender, was selected to participate in the ASEF Capacity-Building Training Programme on Inclusive and Sustainable Development: Gender Equality & Women’s Participation, held in Kunming, Yunnan, China, from 7–9 September 2026.
Herlina was selected from more than 3,000 applicants and was among 23 practitioners invited to exchange perspectives on women’s participation, inclusive governance, gender equality, and sustainable development across Asia and Europe. This fully-funded programme was hosted by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.
However, the planned journey to Kunming was interrupted by the Anak Krakatau eruption on 6 September 2026, which disrupted air travel and affected flight operations through Soekarno-Hatta. After exploring alternative travel arrangements, the disruption ultimately made it impossible for Herlina to travel, and she had to withdraw from the programme.
While the physical participation could not take place, the experience raised important reflections on the relationship between participation, infrastructure, and access. As highlighted in DEEP EnGender’s reflection, meaningful participation is not only about being invited into a room, but also about having the infrastructure, resources, time, and support needed to reach that room.
The experience also reinforces the importance of considering gender within discussions of infrastructure and resilience. When public systems are disrupted, the ability to adapt can depend heavily on financial resources, mobility, flexible time, and access to alternative arrangements, such kind of conditions that are not equally available to everyone, particularly women.
For DEEP EnGender, this interrupted journey has become an opportunity to further reflect on inclusive governance and sustainable development. True inclusion requires not only creating spaces for women’s participation, but also strengthening the systems and infrastructure that enable them to participate meaningfully, including during times of disruption.
Although Herlina’s seat in Kunming remained empty, the experience continues to inform DEEP EnGender’s work on gender justice, inclusive participation, resilience, and equitable access.
DEEP EnGender congratulates Herlina on her selection and appreciates ASEF for the recognition and opportunity to connect practitioners across Asia and Europe.
