Gender＆Diversity Lab Melati
by NIITU Marika, Gender Specialist /Activist in Japan
Mission： Create a world society where diversity is respected
Vision: Advocating for a Variety of Perspectives and Cultures"
Project: Collaborative seminars on Gender issues
Requests for collaboration seminars and lectures on gender topics are welcomed!
Greetings
Hello, I'm Marika Niitsu.
I have been working as a gender specialist for approximately 15 years, both in Japan and abroad in the international cooperation field.
I have had assignments on three continents and visited over 10 countries as part of my work.
During my international endeavors addressing gender issues, I have had the opportunity to witness diverse cultures. It has inspired me to contribute to the creation of a society where diversity is even more respected by sharing my experiences.
Gender & Diversity Lab Melati ("Melati") is the project name under which I conduct my activities. "
Melati" signifies "Jasmine" in Indonesian, which happens to be the national flower of Indonesia, a country I once called home. Indonesia is a shining example of coexistence among various ethnicities who mutually respect each other, and it's in this spirit of "diversity" that I chose the name. Additionally, "Jasmine" holds personal significance for me as it relates to my name, "Mari-ka," which means "jasmine flower.
"Melati" was established on October 11, 2021, in commemoration of International Day of the Girl. Although I took a break due to maternity leave, I am pleased to announce that, starting from September 2023, I am fully resuming my business operations.
Career highlights
Worked as a Senior Policy Researcher and Deputy Director of International Relations team, Gender Equality Bureau, Cabinet office of Japan.
Served as Gender specialist for UNICEF (East Asia and the Pacific regional office in Thailand, Ivory Coast and Indonesia).
Served as a Gender and Development specialist, overseeing and managing human trafficking prevention projects in Southeast Asia.
Initiated projects to support girls and women with obstetric fistula in the Republic of Niger as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) Overseas Cooperation Volunteer
Educational background
Earned a Master's degree in Gender and Development from the University of Sussex, Institute of Development Studies in the United Kingdom, where I conducted research on 'masculinities.'
Specialized in Cultural Anthropology at Keio University and conducted solo fieldwork on microfinance and women's status in a village in Bangladesh, which served as the basis for the thesis.