Tribute for Noor Farida Ariffin (1947—2024)
Noor Farida Ariffin, one of APWLD’s founding members, passed away on June 27, 2024.
Noor Farida was integral to APWLD’s Herstory as one of the first Steering Committee members and one of the first local board members in Malaysia. She played a significant role in bringing APWLD into legal existence as a non-stock, non-profit company registered under the Malaysian Companies Act on 9 January 1988, and also wrote the very first funding proposal as the Secretariat began its work. Noor Farida was assigned to lead the closure of the APWLD’s office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as we settled into our new home in Chiang Mai, Thailand, more than 20 years ago. Noor Farida was an integral part of shaping APWLD’s programme, strategies and advocacy on ending violence against women.
APWLD mourns this significant loss to the feminist and women’s movements but is determined to carry on and honour Noor Farida’s APWLD journey in building a just feminist future.
About Noor Farida Ariffin
Noor Farida Ariffin is a prominent lawyer who has had a long and distinguished career spanning more than 40 years. She joined the Malaysian judicial and legal service in 1971 serving in various capacities including as a magistrate, senior assistant registrar in the High Courts of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, Sessions Court judge, legal officer with the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Minister’s Department and Director of the Legal Aid Bureau. Noor Farida previously held a number of key positions, including Special Advisor on Maritime Issues to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Malaysia, an Alternate Director at the Maritime Institute of Malaysia (MIMA), Director-General of the Research, Treaties and International Law Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador-At-Large for the High-Level Group on Follow-up to the ASEAN Charter (HLEG), Director of the Women and Development Programme, Human Resource and Development Group at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London. She headed the newly established Legal Division of the Ministry in 1993 and in 1996 was appointed the Under-Secretary of the newly formed Territorial and Maritime Division of the Foreign Ministry. Between 2000 and 2007, she was the Ambassador of Malaysia to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. She was also the Independent Non-Executive Director of Eco World Development Group.
Noor Farida Ariffin, third from the left, at Tagaytay, Philippines in 1986 with other APWLD founding members.
APWLD Members and Partners Pay Tribute
We pay tribute to a sister, a mentor and a leader who has stood and fought alongside women across Asia and the Pacific in defending and upholding women’s human rights.
Dear MembersDeepest condolences on the sad news of Noor Farida Ariffin’’s passing. Such a loss to APWLD, to the wider feminist networks, to her comrades and colleagues and to her family.We are losing so many of our trailblazers. May she Rest in Power.SincerelyKhushi KabirOur deepest sympathy for her. May her rest in peace.
Geetha LakminiNational ConvenerWe Women LankaDeepest sympathy. May her soul rest in peace.
RegardsSanaiyya AnsariExecutive DirectorNetwork for Research and Training(NRT )Individual memberIt is very sad to hear the news. Our heartfelt condolences, may her Soul rest in Peace.
Yasso Kanti Bhattachan
Vice Chair
National Indigenous Women Forum (NIWF)Sorry to hear about that
May her rest in peace.
Regard and stay healthy.
Samphous VON
Deputy Secretary General at IDEADeepest condolences on the sad news of Noor Farida Ariffin’’s passing. And, may she Rest in Power.Lyazzat and Shyrak team (Kazakhstan)Dear APWLD Members,We extend our sincere condolences to Noor Farida Ariffin’s family. May her soul rest in peace.With solidarityTaskin FahminaOdhikarBangladesh
Dear APWLD membersDeepest condolences from SCODE team on the sad news of Noor Farida Ariffin’’s passing.
It’s a big loss for APWLD members. We will remember with love
She may Rest in PeaceBest regards,
Ngo Thi Lan Phuong (Ms.)
Director
Centre for Sustainable Community Development (S-CODE)
