Code of Conduct – 4th Asia Pacific Feminist Forum

The APFF is committed to create an to ensure a safe environment for everyone involved in
the Asia Pacific Feminist Forum on 12th, 13th and 14th of September 2024, at the Empress
Hotel, Chiang Mai, Thailand. This code of conduct is a means of furthering that commitment.

Scope of the Code of Conduct
The scope of this safety and security applies to all interactions and incidents between
participants during the APFF. All APFF participants are expected to adhere to these
principles and model appropriate interactions according to these safety and security
guidelines.

APWLD Commitments
APWLD as the APFF organiser commits to:
● Ensuring these safety and security guidelines, along with instructions on reporting
concerns, is accessible to all APFF participants, and is shared before events.
● Taking allegations of harassment, discrimination, or abuse seriously.
● Listening to and centering the voices of those subjected to harassment or abuse.
● Inviting input from those affected in shaping any remedies.
● Maintaining confidentiality and privacy as much as possible.
● Avoiding partnerships with individuals who pose a risk to the safety of others, unless
they have undergone an agreed reintegration process.

APFF Code of Conduct
As a feminist organisation APWLD is committed to equality, non-discrimination and the
realisation of human rights in the workplace and in a space we co-create with our members
and partners. We are mindful of our responsibility to staff, volunteers, members and partners
to practise and model good workplace policies in relation to equity, non-discrimination and
anti-bullying and harassment.

Definitions:
Discrimination is treating an individual with a particular attribute less favourably than an
individual without that attribute or with a different attribute under similar circumstances. It
can also be, seeking to impose a condition or requirement on a person with an attribute who
does not or cannot comply, while people without that attribute do or can comply.
Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed towards a person or group of persons.
It includes behaviour that could be expected to intimidate, offend, degrade, humiliate,
undermine or threaten. It does not include disciplinary procedures in and of themselves.
Harassment is any verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate,
silence or coerce. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual behavior that makes a person
feel offended, humiliated or intimidated.

Violations of this guidelines include, but are not limited to:
● Offensive or unwelcome comments, discriminatory jokes, or remarks based on social
status, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical appearance, race, ethnicity,
religion, etc.
● Display or discussion of disrespectful or hostile materials.
● Outing or disclosing aspects of a person’s identity without consent.
● Misgendering or refusal to respect gender identity.
● Intimidation, threats or acts of aggression.
● Stalking, unwanted communication or tracking online activities without consent.
● Breaching confidentiality or private information.
● Unwanted body touching, sexual attention, comments, or actions.
● Attempts to intimidate, retaliate or assist in violations.
● Cutting/interrupting participants sharing views/inputs during group discussions.

How to Contact us
If you experience or witness discrimination, harassment, or violence, or have other concerns,
please report them as soon as possible. Reports can be made:
● Contact any member of the APWLD Secretariat staff at the event.
● Report via SLACK using #safetyandsecurity

Acknowledgement
This document was developed based on the ESCR-Net’s Code of Conduct.

The Safety and Security Guidelines

The objectives of these guidelines are for preventing the disruption and protecting the
wellbeing of all participants, staff and volunteers. It is EVERYONE’s responsibility to
ensure safety and security at the APFF. Please adhere to following Do’s and Don’ts.

Registration. Ensure your registration upon arrival each morning of the event. Daily
registration is mandatory to ensure that only invited and authorised persons are in the venue.

Identification. Wear your name tag in the vicinity at all times and never misplace/lose/pass it
on to someone else. Remember: No ID, no entry.

Access Control. Do not invite any unregistered/unauthorised person to the venue. Should you
need to do so, please inquire with and seek approval from the Registration Committee inside
the convention centre.

Emergency Preparedness. Familiarise yourself with the venue’s emergency exits (green
signages around the venue) and emergency measures (in the hotel booklet in your room and
the emergency map behind your room’s door). The Empress hotel provides this information.

First Aid. First aid kits are available at the Volunteers Desks and First Aid Room – please
refer to the map of the venue or approach any staff/volunteer for assistance. Also, we expect
that you have informed the APFF team of any health restrictions/needs during the registration
or pre-event communications. If you have not done so yet, please inform us asap.

Digital Security. Before taking photos and videos/audios of participants, ask for consent first.
Note that there are participants who have pre-notified us of not wanting to be photographed –
you will identify them with red stickers on their name tags.

Designated Areas: There are designated entrances and exits, and smoking areas. Please look
for the signages and/or inquire with the staff/volunteers.

How to handle suspicious persons, behaviours. situations and activities during the
Forum

If you encounter a suspicious situation or individual, take the following actions;

● Immediate Reporting: Report the suspicious activity or person to the nearby APWLD
staff or volunteers immediately. You can identify them by their ID cards. You can also
report via our communication platform, SLACK (please download via Google/Apple
Playstore) using #safetyandsecurity

● Stay vigilant: Keep an eye on your surroundings and remain alert. Your awareness can
help prevent potential issues before they escalate.

● Do Not Engage: Avoid confronting suspicious individuals directly. Leave the situation
to the designated safety and security personnel.

*Please note that these safety and security guidelines are crafted to protect against potential
risks and external threats, ensuring that every participant, staff and volunteers can engage in
the 4th APFF with collective freedom and meaningful participation.