Open the Door

S01E03 Housing and Gender Equity: Shifting Roles and Building Inclusion in Asia-Pacific
More than 1.6 billion people across Asia-Pacific live in inadequate housing, with women facing added barriers like insecure land tenure, limited access to finance, and exclusion from housing decisions.
In this episode of Open the Door by Habitat for Humanity International, Elizabeth "Liz" Satow, Habitat's Area Vice President for Asia-Pacific, speaks with Anabel Ali, Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Fiji, and Anand Bolimera, National Director of Habitat for Humanity India, on how housing systems shape gender outcomes and how to make them more inclusive.
They unpack gender equality vs. gender equity, citing examples like Project Nirmanshree, Habitat India's Housing Support Services, Habitat Fiji's She Fixes It initiative, the Daulomani Safe Home, and India's Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana program, showing how women-centered housing strengthens safety, health, livelihoods, education and decision-making.
Chapters
00:00 – Cold open00:47 – Welcome & introduction01:56 – Meet the guests02:35 – Guest stories: growing up with housing insecurity07:45 – How gender shapes the housing experience11:50 – Defining gender equality vs. gender equity19:35 – Gender norms and housing26:00 – Designing housing around women's needs30:05 – The data: housing, health & gender-based violence34:35 – Reasons for hope39:55 – Closing reflections & lightning round42:55 – Outro & call to action
Our moderator and speakers:
Liz Satow is Habitat for Humanity's Area Vice President for Asia-Pacific, with 20+ years of humanitarian and development leadership across India, Haiti, Nepal, Jordan, and the Philippines. She holds an MA in international development and a BA in political science, and is a certified life and executive coach.
Anand Bolimera is National Director of Habitat for Humanity India, with nearly three decades in humanitarian response, strategic planning, and development. He previously founded Change Alliance and led a UK FCDO Poorest Areas Civil Society Program in India. At Habitat India, he leads efforts to expand affordable housing and strengthen community resilience.
Anabel Ali is Board Chair of Habitat for Humanity Fiji and a finance executive with 15+ years in financial management, governance, and strategic leadership. She is Group Financial Controller of Fiji Fish Marketing Group and has served on the boards of Fiji's Housing Authority and Public Rental Board.
 
Sources/References:
Biutu, I. and Naivalurua, N., 2023. "64% of women and girls in Fiji experience physical and sexual violence by their husband or intimate partner – Tabuya" in Fiji Village. ⁠https://www.fijivillage.com/news/64-of-women-and-girls-in-Fiji-experience-physical-and-sexual-violence-by-their-husband-or-intimate-partner---Tabuya-x48r5f/⁠
Fiji Global News, 2026. "Fiji Unveils 2025–2030 Housing Policy to Expand Affordable Homes, Secure Tenure and Boost Green Development." ⁠https://fijiglobalnews.com/fiji-unveils-2025-2030-housing-policy-to-expand-affordable-homes-secure-tenure-and-boost-green-development/⁠
Fiji Global News, 2024. "Fiji's Housing Dilemma: The Risks of Informal Settlements." ⁠https://fijiglobalnews.com/fijis-housing-dilemma-the-risks-of-informal-settlements-2/⁠
Government of India. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana ⁠https://pmaymis.gov.in/⁠
Habitat for Humanity Fiji. "Daulomani, the language of love." ⁠https://habitatfiji.org.fj/daulomani-the-language-of-love/⁠
Habitat for Humanity Fiji. "Rebuilding with purpose: How plumbing skills empowered Siteri." ⁠https://habitatfiji.org.fj/rebuilding-with-purpose-how-plumbing-skills-empowered-siteri/⁠
Habitat for Humanity Fiji. "She Fixes It - Empowering Women, Strengthening Homes." ⁠https://habitatfiji.org.fj/3193-2/⁠
Habitat for Humanity India. Project Nirmanshree. ⁠https://habitatindia.org/nirmanshree/⁠
Habitat for Humanity International, 2025. "Informal Settlement Improvements and Women's Health." ⁠https://www.habitat.org/home-equals/womens-health⁠
Habitat for Humanity International. "Housing and Gender Equity: A Global Literature Review." ⁠https://www.habitat.org/our-work/impact/literature-review-gender-equity⁠
Nand, P., 2026. "Habitat Fiji and HART partner to upgrade Valelevu Hart Home" in Fiji Village. ⁠https://www.fijivillage.com/news/habitat-fiji-and-hart-partner-to-upgrade-valelevu-hart-home-49bea1/⁠
 
About Habitat for Humanity:
habitat.org/ap
linkedin.com/company/habitat-ap/
instagram.com/habitat.ap/
facebook.com/HabitatAP

S01E02 Policy and Partnerships: Scaling Housing Solutions Across Asia-Pacific
In disaster-prone, rapidly urbanizing Asia-Pacific, building alone cannot fix a broken housing system. In this episode, moderator Eliza Sthapit, national director of Habitat for Humanity Nepal, speaks with Handoko Ngadiman, national director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, and Phal Vandy, national director of Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, about the role of evidence-based policy and cross-sector partnerships in scaling housing solutions. Eliza sets the regional context and explains why housing is the foundation for health, education, safety, opportunity, and dignity. Vandy describes Cambodia's trust-based work with government, UN-Habitat, other NGOs, and the private sector to strengthen social and affordable housing policy, contributing to efforts to develop a housing law, financial inclusion strategy, and housing fund. Handoko examines barriers such as insecure land tenure and limited access to formal banking and government subsidies. He also shares the experience of Tanjung Kait, where 110 fishing families secured land titles, infrastructure, and decent homes through community facilitation, savings groups, and government support.
Chapters:00:00 Introduction02:46 Meet the guests & the Asia-Pacific reality03:59 Vandy's story05:25 Handoko's story07:52 What "policy and partnership" really means11:33 Cambodia: turning trust into policy13:49 What surprises people about this work18:50 Case study: Cambodia's social housing pilot21:36 Case study: Tanjung Kait fishing village26:34 Structural challenges across Asia-Pacific28:38 Learning across borders30:39 One policy, multiplied: Indonesia's village fund35:16 Why keep investing in slow policy work39:40 Looking forward45:41 Lightning round47:00 Closing
Sources/References:- World Population Review, 2026. "Natural Disaster Risk by Country 2026," https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/natural-disaster-risk-by-country- Grahadyarini, B.M.L., (2024, October 10). Kompas. “3 Million Homes Program Ready to Invite Foreign Investors,” https://www.kompas.id/artikel/en-program-3-juta-rumah-siap-undang-investor-asing- Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, 2023. “Supporting the implementation of the Cambodia government’s housing policy,” https://www.habitat.org/sites/default/files/documents/Cambodia%20brief%20on%20policy%20ask_FINAL_20231024_2.pdf- Habitat for Humanity International, 2026. "Finally, we own our land," https://www.habitat.org/ap/stories/finally-we-own-our-land- The World Bank, 2026. “Cambodia Economic Update June 2026: Navigating Shocks,” https://reliefweb.int/report/cambodia/cambodia-economic-update-june-2026-navigating-shocks
About the speakers:Eliza Sthapit is national director of Habitat for Humanity Nepal and has over 20 years of development experience across Asia. She began as a youth volunteer in community development and environmental conservation, later working with WWF, DANIDA, ICCO Cooperation, and Cordaid International in business development, organizational strategy, and human resources. She holds a Master's degree in Sustainable Resource Management from the Technical University of Munich and a Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from St-Xavier's College, Kathmandu. https://www.linkedin.com/in/eliza-sthapit-4051aa5/
Handoko Ngadiman, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Indonesia, holds Master's degrees from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and the Asian Institute of Management, Philippines. He has over 25 years of executive leadership across for-profit and non-profit sectors in Indonesia and Asia, including leading large national non-profits through restructuring, expansion, and leadership development. He is passionate about empowering families, mentoring young leaders, and guiding non-profits through strategic planning. https://www.linkedin.com/in/handoko-ngadiman-9497801b1/
Phal Vandy, National Director of Habitat for Humanity Cambodia, has over 20 years of experience in development and humanitarian leadership, strategy, governance, and inclusive finance. He completed Humanitarian Leadership training at Deakin University, Australia (2015), holds a Master's degree in Development Studies from the University of Cambodia (2008), and a Bachelor's degree in Business Management from the National University of Management, Cambodia. He has worked with various global organizations including Save the Children, Cambodia Microfinance Association, World Vision, Cambodia Australia Partnership for Resilient Economic Development, and the International Labor Organization on multi-sectoral governance, inclusive finance, and community development programs, and has overseen multi-million-dollar projects through high-level partnerships. https://www.linkedin.com/in/phal-vandy-119b72254/
For more info:habitat.org/aplinkedin.com/company/habitat-ap/instagram.com/habitat.ap/facebook.com/HabitatAP

S01E01 - Housing and Health: Why Home Is the Foundation of Wellbeing
 
In this episode of Open the Door, moderator Jo Hayes, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong, speaks with Alan Thorp, Group CEO of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, and Scott Merrill, Senior Director for Regional Operations at Habitat for Humanity's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, about how housing conditions directly shape health and why effective solutions require both practical home upgrades and broader systems change.
 
The conversation explores overcrowding, ventilation, damp, pests, heat and other health risks; examples from Hong Kong, New Zealand and Kenya; and what it takes to connect housing improvements with health budgets, market systems and policy change.
 
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Chapters
 
00:00 Podcast Introduction
 
00:52 Housing Shapes Health
 
03:04 The Stakes and Statistics
 
05:20 New Zealand Healthy Homes
 
09:24 A Home Transformed
 
10:55 What Habitat’s Terwilliger Center Does
 
15:14 Evidence From New Zealand
 
19:43 Kenya Malaria Retrofits
 
24:26 Four Market Gaps
 
28:01 Regional Challenges
 
34:59 WASH and Resilience in the Pacific
 
38:16 Scaling Solutions Together
 
42:34 Corporate Financing Models
 
43:58 Calls to Action
 
48:12 Lightning Round
 
50:29 Closing summary
 
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Sources/References:
- Abong’o, B., Kwaro, D., Bange, T. et al, 2026. "Housing modifications for heat adaptation, thermal comfort and malaria vector control in rural African settlements." https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-04104-9
- AMI Insurance and Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, 2022. "Aotearoa Housing Survey," https://www.habitat.org.nz/nationwide-sponsor
- Cure Kids, 2026. "State of Child Health in Aotearoa NZ," https://www.curekids.org.nz/our-research/state-of-child-health
- Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong. "Ageing in Place." https://aip.habitat.org.hk/
- Habitat for Humanity International, 2025. "Informal Settlement Improvements and Women’s Health." https://www.habitat.org/home-equals/womens-health
- Habitat for Humanity New Zealand, 2025. "Science, Shelter, Health: Cool roof research tackles hot topics in Niue." https://www.habitat.org.nz/impact-stories/science-shelter-health-cool-roof-research-tackles-hot-topics-in-niue
- Hong Kong SAR Commission on Poverty, 2020. "Hong Kong Poverty Situation Report 2020," https://www.commissiononpoverty.gov.hk/eng/pdf/Hong_Kong_Poverty_Situation_Report_2020.pdf
- Hong Kong SAR, 2026. "Basic Housing Units Ordinance," https://www.bhu.gov.hk/eng/regulatory-regime/ordinance/
- Stats NZ. "Housing in Aotearoa New Zealand: 2025," https://www.stats.govt.nz/reports/housing-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-2025/
- UN-Habitat, 2024. "Adequate housing for all." https://unhabitat.org/sites/default/files/2025/05/annual_report_2025_final.pdf
 
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For more information about the speakers:
 
Jo Hayes is Chief Executive Officer of Habitat for Humanity Hong Kong, advancing access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing. Since 2004, Habitat Hong Kong has served the local community and raised awareness of housing as a critical foundation for improving lives and tackling intergenerational poverty across the region. With nearly 30 years of international experience across the public, private and nonprofit sectors, including roles with the British Council, BBC Worldwide and The Women’s Foundation, Jo brings deep expertise in strategy, governance, and stakeholder engagement. A Hong Kong Jockey Club Chicago Booth MBA Scholar, she applies rigorous, analytical thinking, financial discipline, and evidence-based leadership to drive organizational strategy and growth, and has been based in Hong Kong since 2013.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johayeshabitat/
 
Alan Thorp is the Group CEO of Habitat for Humanity New Zealand. Joining Habitat in 2007, he has fulfilled various roles, beginning as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Deputy CEO, and Group CEO/National Director. Alan has over 25 years’ experience as a Chartered Accountant in public practice, private commercial entities and the NGO sector. Alan has a Masters Degree in Theology from Regent College in Vancouver. He is passionate about leading Habitat’s mission and its people as a practical outworking of his faith and theology. He is excited about leading the expansion of Habitat’s mission delivery both in New Zealand and the Pacific.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-thorp-1178a82/
 
Scott Merrill is Senior Director of Regional Operations for Habitat for Humanity International's Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter, where he leads regional teams from across the globe to advance market-based approaches to affordable housing. He brings deep experience in market systems development, systems thinking, human-centered design, and lean startup approaches across sectors including housing, resilience, climate, health, agriculture, and food security across 22 countries.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-merrill-39185610/
 
For more information on Habitat for Humanity Asia-Pacific, please visit:
- habitat.org/ap
- linkedin.com/company/habitat-ap/
- instagram.com/habitat.ap/
- facebook.com/HabitatAP

Open the Door, a podcast by Habitat for Humanity International about housing, is coming soon!
In upcoming episodes, we'll explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping the future of housing in the Asia Pacific region.
Open the door with us as we hear from voices across Asia and beyond confronting the housing crisis head-on.
Follow and subscribe to never miss an episode.

Open the Door, a podcast by Habitat for Humanity International about housing, is coming soon!
In upcoming episodes, we'll explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping the future of housing.
Open the door with us as we hear from voices across Asia and beyond confronting the housing crisis head-on.
Follow and subscribe to never miss an episode.