Filling in the Picture: Research Priorities on VAW in the Asia and Pacific Region Report

Filling in the Picture is a regional adaptation of the Global Shared Research Agenda (GSRA) led by Equality Institute in collaboration with an Advisory Group of researchers, activists, and practitioners across the Asia and Pacific region. This report provides a comprehensive overview of the research priorities that are most relevant to addressing violence against women (VAW) in the region, highlighting key evidence gaps and opportunities for strategic investment. It is intended to guide researchers, funding bodies, policymakers, advocates, and practitioners in strengthening the empirical and practical basis for programmes, policy, and advocacy on VAW in Asia and the Pacific.

The report was co-created through a participatory process, overseen by an Advisory Group, and informed by a six-week regional survey conducted in January–February 2023. The survey, which was widely disseminated across networks in the region and translated into Bahasa, Mandarin, and Thai, asked participants to rank GSRA research domains and questions by their importance to the Asia and Pacific context. Open-ended responses also captured region-specific issues, emerging gaps, and perspectives from historically marginalised groups, ensuring the agenda reflects the diversity and complexity of experiences in the region.

Filling in the Picture highlights research priorities that will most effectively inform prevention, response, and policy initiatives addressing VAW. It identifies areas where evidence is limited, supports research planning and fundraising, and provides a tool to advocate for prioritisation and investment in the most critical topics. By drawing on the knowledge of policy experts, practitioners, and advocates in the region, the report ensures that research is both priority-driven and relevant, strengthening the link between evidence and practical action to prevent and respond to violence against women across Asia and the Pacific.

The development of the report was made possible with generous contributions from survey respondents, focus group participants, and the funding support of Wellspring Philanthropic Fund. The report also acknowledges the work of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI), whose global research agenda informed the foundation of this regional adaptation.