The Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) proudly announces the appointment of Joan May “Joms” Salvador as its new Regional Coordinator, ushering in a new era of feminist leadership and collective action across the region.
Joms recognises that she is stepping into this role at a critical moment for Asia and the Pacific.
“Our region today stands at the epicentre of escalating geopolitical tensions, deepening inequalities, and intensifying repression against women and people’s movements—while accountability from political institutions is at its weakest and injustice against our people at its peak,”
“It is both an honour and a challenge to lead APWLD at this time and continue the powerful work it has been doing in the region–creating spaces for our members to engage in critical conversations that sharpen our collective analysis, strengthen our unity, and move us to act together beyond borders and systems of domination,” Joms explains.
With over two decades of grassroots leadership, Joms brings a legacy of fearless advocacy for women’s and children’s rights through the GABRIELA Alliance of Filipino Women in the Philippines. As deputy secretary general, secretary general, and later vice-chairperson, she helped position GABRIELA as one of the Philippines’ most powerful voices against state violence, economic marginalisation, and patriarchal oppression—while forging solidarity among movements within and beyond the country.
A long-time APWLD member, Joms has served on the Programme and Management Committee, Regional Council, and programme organising committees for Grounding the Global and Women Interrogating Trade and Corporate Hegemony—bringing a sharp political lens that centres women’s narratives and resistance.
“APWLD’s power as a membership-driven network comes from grounding our work in the lived realities, wisdom and struggles of our members and grassroots communities. That grounding keeps our solidarity real, relevant, and transformative,” Joms shares.
Looking ahead, Joms envisions APWLD to remain a driving force in shaping global feminist narratives.
“With courage, conviction, and unwavering belief in the power of collective action, we commit to continue to amplify voices too often silenced and ensure that women’s movements in the region stand at the forefront of shaping and shifting global narratives—disrupting the status quo, dismantling systems of oppression, and inspiring collective struggle and solidarity across movements and regions. Together, we will continue to weave our shared herstory of resistance and co-create the living narrative of our collective liberation,” Joms concludes.
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For immediate release: 14 November 2025
Edz dela Cruz, APWLD Information and Communications Officer
