The National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) conducts research and analyzes data in an equitable, inclusive manner to inform our advocacy for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls. “AAPI” includes over 50 ethnic groups that speak over 100 languages – but rarely do studies capture the full diversity of all our communities.

The “model minority” stereotype, the myth that depicts all Asian Americans as having achieved success and wealth, continues to exist in the public imagination. We know that is wrong, and that many among us face injustice and oppression. 

Our movement needs detailed, accurate research that fully represents the diversity of AAPI communities. It is important that data is disaggregated to explore specific information – such as ethnicity, gender, and language – so that we can have a full understanding of the issues facing us. Our research centers our lived experiences through a community-engaged participatory research (CBPR) methodology that builds trust and power with the people we work with.

Ongoing Research

Ongoing Research

Sexual & Repro Health Care in AAPI Community

Sexual and Reproductive Health Care in the AAPI Community: Understanding Barriers to Access

Almost no research to date has examined the barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health care for AAPIs. This project will identify and contextualize the barriers that AAPI women in Georgia face to accessing sexual and reproductive health care through a community-based mixed-methods approach. Through this study, we aim to build comprehensive and intersectional narratives around AAPI women and gender expansive people’s barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health care in Georgia.

Published Research

Published Research

Medication Abortion

Medication Abortion

This first-of-its-kind study examines Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) experiences with medication abortion to understand how people within AANHPI subgroups may differ in their medication abortion knowledge, attitudes, and experiences.

State of Safety

The State of Safety for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Women

This groundbreaking survey spotlights Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) women’s experiences with discrimination, harassment, and violence amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and one year since the mass shootings in Atlanta that claimed the lives of six Asian American women.

Rising Tide of Discrimination Against AAPI Women & Girls

The Rising Tide of Violence and Discrimination Against Asian American and Pacific Islander Women and Girls

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls are prime targets of hate and discrimination against the AAPI community. Hate incidents against AAPIs rose sharply over the past year, with over 6,600 reports collected by Stop AAPI Hate between March 2020 and March 2021. In particular, AAPI women and girls report these hate incidents two times as often as AAPI men. We further disaggregate AAPI women’s experiences by different subgroups using data from Stop AAPI Hate and the NAPAWF national survey.

Intersections of Our Lives Polling

Intersections of Our Lives

In 2018, women of color voted at historically high levels. A new poll by the Intersections of Our Lives, a collaboration between NAPAWF, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, provides valuable insight on the priorities and motivations of women of color voters. Learn more.