Hi! I'm
Dr. Athena M. Nguyen
I am
ABOUT ME
I am a passionate human rights and gender equality advocate.
I have nearly ten years of professional experience in human rights and gender equality, including advisory roles to senior management; human rights monitoring and analysis; supporting human rights litigation; campaigning and advocacy; programme management; strategic planning; policy development; capacity building; and research, analysis and writing. My experience ranges from local to international organisations, such the United Nations, Amnesty International, Oxfam, leading universities, and local NGOs.
I have a Doctorate in Law, specialising in international human rights law. My doctoral thesis examined legal accountability for sexual exploitation and abuse on peacekeeping operations. My past and current university teaching experience includes courses on 'Human Rights Theory', 'Sexuality and Society', 'International Development', and ‘Law and Practice of the United Nations’. I have also presented at academic conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals on human rights, gender and sexuality.
- Name : Dr. Athena M. Nguyen
- Experience : 10 Years
- Email : contact@athenamnguyen.com
- Phone : +61 70 4005 7791
- Skype : athena.m.nguyen
- Website : athenamnguyen.com
- Nationality : Australian
- Residence : Japan
- Languages : English (Native); Vietnamese (Conversational); German (Intermediate)
My Skills
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Human rights monitoring and assessment
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Research, Writing and Analysis
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Training and Capacity Building
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Campaigning and Advocacy
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International Human Rights Law
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Gender, diversity and inclusion policy advice
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Programme Development and Management
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Organisational change management
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Gender & Feminist Theory
If you are passionate about human rights and gender equality, I would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to get in touch.
Contact Me
Work Experience
United Nations University
Gender Advisor
Tokyo, Japan
- Provision of high-level strategic and technical advice to the UN Under-Secretary-General and senior management on gender equality and the empowerment of women (GEEW), and on the prevention of discrimination and harassment
- Supporting the UN USG to execute his functions and duties (e.g. providing the USG with oral and written briefings; drafting correspondence in the name of the USG; developing speaking points; writing internal and external reports; accompanying the USG to meetings with Member State representatives, etc.)
- Developing and implementing UN entity-level policies, practices and initiatives; and implementing UN-system wide initiatives at the UN entity-level (e.g. UN System-wide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-SWAP); Secretary-General’s System-wide Strategy on Gender Parity)
- Coordinating the Gender Focal Point network across UNU’s 13 institutes located in 12 countries; ensuring collaboration and information flow between the Executive Office, institutes, and staff
- Acting as the UNU representative on UN-system wide meetings, networks, and working groups; facilitating UNU’s contribution to UN-system wide initiatives
- Working closely with the Chief of Staff and other senior managers to build a gender-sensitive work environment; and working closely with the Chief of Human Resources to achieve gender parity through developing gender-sensitive recruitment and human resources practices
- Advising on gender mainstreaming in UNU’s programmatic and research work, including staff capacity building and training.
- Teaching two Masters-level courses: Co-teaching with the USG a course on ‘International Development: Ideas, Experience and Prospects’; and Guest Lecturing a course on ‘The Law and Practice of the United Nations’
UN Women
International Consultant
Bangkok, Thailand
- Participated in a Regional Consultation on Promoting and Protecting the Rights of LBTI (lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex) Persons
- Researched and analysed the main issues facing LBTI people in the Asia-Pacific, including consultations with key stakeholders (government, NGOs, civil society, UN agencies)
- Drafted a comprehensive report on (i) the international human rights laws and standards related to LBTI persons; (ii) the current scope of work on LBTI rights by UN entities, including UN Women and OHCHR; (iii) challenges faced by the LBTI community and individuals; (iv) good practice examples in programming and advocacy, including legislation, the work of NHRIs and CSOs; (v) opportunities for advancing LBTI rights, including with UN human rights mechanisms, the work of UN entities, strengthening NHRIs, amending Member State laws and policies, and empowering the LBTI community.
Oxfam Australia
Capacity Building Coordinator
Melbourne, Australia / Suva, Fiji / Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Oversaw the strategic direction of capacity building training for Oxfam staff and partners across Asia, Africa, the Pacific and Australia
- Led the development of training resources covering topics such as a human-rights based approach to development, strategy development, advocacy, risk management, and monitoring and evaluation; facilitated training workshops across the Asia-Pacific
- Coordinated the knowledge management and information flow between headquarters and country offices on good practices, current policies, and organisational strategic directions in programming and advocacy
- Provided technical advice and substantive guidance to Oxfam staff and partners across Asia, Africa and the Pacific to support advocacy and campaigning on the right to development
United Nations
Human Rights Internship
Bangkok, Thailand
- Monitored human rights developments across south-east Asia; compiled weekly briefings which were sent to Geneva
- Supported the work of the UN Special Rapporteurs, such as through the production of briefing papers and logistics for country visits
- Assisted human rights defenders to engage with UN human rights mechanisms
- Prepared cases of human rights violations for submission to the Special Procedures
- Researched, analysed and drafted reports, such as on the conformity of national human rights legislation with international human rights obligations
- Organised regional events, such as regional advisory group meetings, expert seminars, and ministerial dialogues
- Produced materials to engage civil society (e.g. training materials, website)
Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
Legal Researcher
Melbourne, Australia
- Researched international human rights law and comparative national and international jurisprudence for court case interventions into matters that raised human rights
- Drafted Memorandums of Advice on undertaking statutory interpretations of domestic legislation in line with legal obligations under international human rights law
- Drafted briefing notes, research reports, speaking points etc. for the Human Rights Commissioner
- Monitored and evaluated the implementation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities; supported public institutions to meet their human rights obligations under the Charter
- Researched, analysed and drafted reports (e.g. annual report, policy reports, board reports); responded to enquiries from the general public about their protections under human rights law; drafted public communication materials on human rights (e.g. factsheets, website)
Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
Complaints Officer
Melbourne, Australia
- First point of contact (telephone / in person) for members of the community experiencing discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or racial or religious vilification, who were seeking to lodge a complaint with the Human Rights Commission
- Provided advice and information to Complainants about their rights under the Equal Opportunity Act 1995 and the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001
- Prepared complaints to be lodged for dispute resolution and conciliation
Monash University
Teaching Associate & Guest Lecturer
Melbourne, Australia
- Presented a guest lecture for the subject ‘Power and Resistance in Contemporary Culture’ (School of Political and Social Inquiry) on the historical development, and contemporary state, of the LGBTI rights movement
- Prepared and facilitated classes for the courses:
- Human Rights Theory (School of Philosophical, Historical and International Studies)
- Sexuality and Society (Department of Sociology)
Amnesty International
Activism Coordinator
Melbourne, Australia
- Monitored human right developments; identified gaps in States fulfilment of their human rights obligations under international human rights law; developed strategies to support and pressure States to meet their human rights obligations
- Oversaw the strategic direction of the advocacy strategies employed by Amnesty International Australia in its human rights campaigns (e.g. Stop Violence Against Women campaign, refugee rights, release of political activists, campaigns for economic, social and cultural rights, etc.)
- Worked across national and international teams to develop and implement global human rights campaigns
- Developed and delivered human rights and advocacy training
- Developed engaging communications for Amnesty International supporters (e.g. emails, publications, telephone scripts, social media, website)
- Managed project budgets
Amnesty International
Community Campaigner
Canberra, Australia
- Developed and implemented grassroots campaigns for human rights, including developing strategies, theories of change, power mapping, identifying opportunities, managing risks, and monitoring and evaluation
- Recruited, trained and supported human rights defenders
- On-the-ground mobilisation of human rights defenders; managed events, activities and actions to implement Amnesty’s human rights campaigns
- Identified and liaised with external stakeholders, such as local communities, government authorities and civil society organisations
- Supported Amnesty’s governance structure (Branch Committee and Branch President) to fulfil their governance duties, including strategic and operational planning
- Managed the budget for the region
Women's Health in the South East
Project Officer (Refugee Settlement)
Melbourne, Australia
- Established a pilot project funded by the Department of Immigration - a settlement program for newly arrived and socially isolated refugee women. Developed all aspects of the pilot program, including establishing a Steering Committee, drafting policies and procedures, implementing the substantive work of the program, monitoring the budget, and producing progress and evaluation reports for the funding body and stakeholders
- Developed and facilitated gender awareness and cultural diversity training for local council, agency workers, teachers, and service providers
- Facilitated a leadership education program for newly arrived refugee and migrant women
- Established support groups for refugee and migrant women (e.g. Afghani women’s support group, Sudanese women’s support group)
My Education
Monash University
Doctor of Juridicial Science - International Human Rights Law
Thesis: The Legal Accountability of the United Nations for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse on Peacekeeping Operations
Monash University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
Women's Studies / Political Science - 1st Class Honours
Monash University
Bachelor of Science
Psychology - High Distinction Average
Mac.Robertson Girls' High School
Completed Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
My Publications
Institutionalisation of SDG 16 as a Norm: More a Trickle than a Cascade?
2018 - Social Alternatives
This article explores the transformative potential of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through an analysis of SDG 16 (peaceful and inclusive societies). The article considers, first, whether SDG 16 represents a collective acknowledgement of extraterritorial legal obligations to respect, protect and fulfil economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR) and, second, if SDG 16 has institutionalised a global moral responsibility within the United Nations and its organs to promote peace and justice as a part of sustainable development.
Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Lesbians, Bisexual Women, Transgender and Intersex Persons
May 2016 - UN Women
This paper highlights the unique discriminations and exclusions faced by lesbians, bisexual women, transgender and intersex persons (LBTI) across the Asia-Pacific. Drawing on the 2016 Regional Consultation on Promoting and Protecting the Rights of Lesbians, Bisexual women, Transgender and Intersex Persons convened by UN Women, Outright Action, UNDP and UNAIDS, the paper explores the diverse experiences and expertise across the region and discusses entry points for advancing the rights and well-being of LBTI people.
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse on Peacekeeping Operations: Is the United Nations Responsible?
June 2015 - Journal of International Peacekeeping
This article examines the extent to which the organisational responsibility of the United Nations can be established for allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) on its peacekeeping operations. In particular, this article examines the Articles on the Responsibilities of International Organizations (ARIO) and the application of the ARIO to the case of SEA on peacekeeping operations.
Perverting Peacekeeping: The Organisational Accountability of the United Nations for Sexual Exploitation and Abuse on its Peacekeeping Operations
2014 - Doctor of Juridical Science Thesis, Monash University
My doctoral thesis examines the legal responsibility of the United Nations for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) on its peacekeeping operation. This thesis considers: first, whether acts of SEA are prohibited under international law and, therefore, whether these acts are a violation of international law; second, whether international organisations, such as the UN, have any obligations under international law; and, if so, if and how the UN may be held accountable for failing to uphold its obligations.
Male, Female or ‘Unspecified’: The case of Norrie
May 19, 2014 - Junge Wissenschaft Im Offentlichen Recht
This article explores the landmark decision of the High Court of Australia in the matter of NSW Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages v Norrie, in which the Court found that it was within the power of the Register to record Norrie’s gender as "non-specific". The article examines the progress and limitations of the Court's ruling and its contribution to the social construction of gender.
Through the Eyes of Women? The Jurisprudence of the CEDAW Committee
May, 2014. Vol.30 - Outskirts
In this paper, the jurisprudence of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee) is examined. The paper asks the questions, have the views of the CEDAW Committee been cautious or progressive? Consistent or inconsistent? Commendable or regrettable? This paper will demonstrate that whilst the CEDAW Committee has commendably advanced the international law on women’s human rights in some areas, it has also been reluctant and slow to do so in others.
Patriarchy, Power and Female Masculinity
(2008) Vol.55, No. 4, pp. 665-683 - The Journal of Homosexuality
This article examines the political potentials of 'butch' in both her refusal of patriarchal constructs of femininity and her transmutation of masculinity. It explores how the butch lesbian threatens male power by severing the naturalized connection between masculinity and male bodies, causing masculinity to appear "queer," and usurping men's roles. However, for "butch" to truly have feminist potential, it also needs to be accompanied by a feminist awareness and a rejection of aspects of masculinity that are oppressive to women.
I'm Not a Racist, I Eat Dim Sims!: The Commodification and Consumption of Asianness within White Australia
(2005) Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 45-57. - Graduate Journal of Asia-Pacific Studies
This article investigates the commodification and consumption of Asianness within contemporary consumer culture by drawing upon the work of Jean Baudrillard and Edward Said. An examination of the circulation of signs of commodified Asianness will demonstrate the ways in which these signs have become depthless, ahistorical, amplified and self-referential, and how, within mainstream Australian society, the commodification of Asianness helps to ease anxieties over the fear of the Other by making engagements with Asianness more palatable.
Contact Me
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Address
Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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Email
contact@athenamnguyen.com
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Phone
+61 70 4005 7791