Women hold an important role in the development at different levels: family, community and society. Much progress has been made on gender equality in Thailand since the turn of the millennium; the country’s 20th constitution lays down on paper the principle of non-discrimination and equal protection. Reality presents a contradicting picture, however, in implementation, values and cultural attitudes.
Domestic violence still occurs in Thai society and many take it as a private or family matter not to be meddled with. What’s more, women often do not get proper information on available protection and support mechanisms provided by the government and private sector.
ActionAid Thailand focuses on strengthening capacity, skills and knowledge of and empowering women and girls so that they can grow to the fullest of their capacity and confidence. This will enable them to design their own lives, live without fear of violence, and effectively participate in decision making that affects their lives and livelihoods. Through training and capacity building, we empower the women and girls to recognize their rights and capacity and be able to claim control over their bodies. We cooperate with local governments to create physical safety environments for women and girls and will collaborate with urban networks and youth for Safe Cities for Women campaign to create enabling environment for women and girls to live carefree in the communities.
In addition, after ActionAid Thailand began working on strengthening civil society roles in poverty alleviation in the deep southern provinces in 2014, we have continued to work with our partner Chumchonsattha Foundation to carry on the work in Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat Provinces. The priority of the project is to strengthen women’s groups on economic empowerment, women’s rights, leadership and land rights, and to link up with the groups as networks in the deep southern provinces.