UN Thailand 'action plan' -  HeForShe pledges, visionary leaders taking action for gender equality in their countries, organizations and beyond.  HeForShe IMPACT and THEMATIC Pilot Initiatives engage with these key decision makers around the world in the public and private sector to deliver parity by 2020, and drive change from the top.  These global leaders are on a journey to reach parity and achieve a gender equal world for all.

Me too wave challenges in gender equality and the empowerment of women in Thailand. Traditional attitudes and stereotypes which underpin domestic violence, low participation of women in politics and decision-making positions.  Thailand ranks 69 in the Gender Inequality Index as of 2011.

Thai Government & UN signed  joint five year action plan to build resilience creativity and equity in Thailand, ensuring and enabling environment for Thai women to enter politics at local and national levels.

This  “action plan” translates the strategic direction provided by the UNPAF into concrete action. It focuses on six main issues for joint partnerships viz., social protection, human rights and access to justice, climate change, creative 

economy, strategic information and international cooperation. Both Finland and Belgium have successfully increased economic growth and sustainable development by promoting gender equality within their societies. By learning from such European examples of gender equality in politics, the Seminar on Promoting Women’s Leadership and Political Participation aims to empower Thai women to enter politics at the local and national levels in preparation for the upcoming general elections in February 2019.

In Thailand, as elsewhere, women’s participation in political processes and leadership remains at a low level. This is caused in part by discriminatory practices and political cultures that devalue women’s worth and impede their contributions.  Many women are reluctant to enter political life because they anticipate sexual harassment and gender-based abuse and disrespect.

As of January 2017, women accounted for only 4.9 % of Parliament in Thailand, ranking 184th out of 190 nations globally. Neighboring countries of Cambodia and Malaysia have at least double the number of women in parliament with rates of 20.3% and 10.4% respectively. Thailand also ranks low on UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index (2017) coming in 93rd place compared to Belgium, which is 5th, and Finland, which is 

8th.  In the context of Thailand's current  political situation, it is a serious concern to learn of the use of abusive language against women to score points for a political agenda. Commentary and images which are sexually abusive and which demean women on the basis of their sex and gender roles should not be tolerated or encouraged. Thailand has made much progress both in its laws and policies to secure the empowerment of women. This progress will be expanded when more women engage with and influence the political and governance processes in both the public and private spheres.  For this to happen, we need an environment which is respectful of the rights and dignity of all.

H.E. Philip Calvert, Ambassador of Canada to Thailand said,  “Gender-based violence affects us as individuals and communities, whether in Canada, Thailand, or around the world. We recognize the basic human right to live without fear of gender-based violence, and so we reiterate the call to do more than simply discuss. We must pursue decisive action and initiate social change to prevent violence now and in the future.” In recognition of the critical role that men and boys around the world have in combating gender-based violence, Ambassador Calvert used the opportunity to sign up as a HeForShe supporter and encouraged guests to sign up and make their own HeForShe pledges.

The seminar is being co-hosted by UN Women in partnership with the EU Delegation to Thailand, the Embassy of Finland, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, King Prajadhipok’s Institute and the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women.

Thailand has demonstrated its commitment to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals which  articulate the critical importance of women’s political and economic leadership for delivering on the broader promise of the 2030 Agenda of “Leaving no one behind”.

“Equal political participation of women and men is an important condition for good governance and effective democracy,” says 

Pirkka Tapiola, EU Ambassador to Thailand. “It can help improve the lives of women and men, bring more equitable societies and inclusive governance, increase standards of living, enhance positive development in education, health and infrastructure, and reduce political corruption.”

“From experiences in local development, it is clear that mindset and perspective of women are absolutely vital to problem-solving and development,” emphasizes Warisara Ampornsiritam, Research and Development officer at King Prajadhipok’s Institute. “The Seminar aims to create a policy that will encourage government departments and political parties to empower women through increasing the number of women in positions of leadership and decision-making bodies.”

 “It is an investment that rewards the whole society, it builds a more prosperous, sustainable and equal future,” says Ambassador Satu Suikkari-Kleven, Embassy of Finland in Thailand. “Let’s get together to inspire each other in supporting the goal of a more equal political participation in the world!”

Many hope, HeForshe will be a great  initiative to overcome  the present MeToo environment.