Thailand’s Women’s Development Fund Receives International Attention

(28/03/2012)

The setting up of the National Development Fund for Women to empower Thai women and enhance their potential has received international attention. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra raised the issue for discussion with Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, and in her speech at Ehwa Women’s University, also in Seoul, during her visit to the Republic of Korea from 24 to 26 March 2012. The Prime Minister told Mr. Ban Ki-moon that the Thai government was aware of the significance of women and gender equality. The Women’s Development Fund was, therefore, established to promote the roles of women, so that they can help develop the country, protect women’s rights, and amend related laws in order to protect women from domestic violence. The fund also serves as a funding source for women who want to have greater access to education, employment, and healthcare services. As a result, she said, women would lead an educated, rich, stable, and better life. Moreover, the Government has initiated a policy of establishing child care centers in government offices, private companies, and communities. It has increased and improved the 24-hour help centers for children and women who are victims of family violence, while enhancing women’s role to be a cornerstone of a warm family. Mr. Ban Ki-moon stated that the United Nations was also aware of the importance of improving the roles of women and underprivileged children. Recently, the United Nations initiated the “Every Women, Every Child” program and established a UN Women agency, located in Thailand so as to support the roles of women and underprivileged children in Asia and Southeast Asia. The Prime Minister viewed the initiative as an opportunity for the Thai government and the Unite Nations to promote and improve women’s roles both in Thailand and the region. In her speech at Ehwa Women’s University, Prime Minister Yingluck explained that the Women’s Development Fund is open to all women, whether rich or poor, urban or rural. In the one month since the fund was created, more than five million women have applied for membership, and it is hoped that more will join. She pointed out that women and men have equal dignity and roles in work and can contribute to national development at the same level. At the same time, women are gentle and detailed, the ideal characteristics needed in production, trade, and service. The fact that women are mothers helps bring compassion, reconciliation, and support for a peaceful society. Apart from this, she believes that if men and women work together, with their different skills, they will be able to synergize and work for the advancement and benefit of humankind. As a female prime minister, Prime Minister Yingluck said that she has had to prove herself every day. The path to success for women is not easy and will be met with many obstacles.