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Women From Across Thailand Demand Better Representation, Political Role
15 December, Bangkok: Over 1,000 women gathered in Bangkok today to demand an increased role for women in politics in Thailand, and that equal rights and women’s interests be taken into account during the drafting of the country’s new Constitution.
The “National Meeting on Women and the 2007 Constitution” was attended by representatives of women’s groups from across the country, who discussed these issues with members of the Constitution drafting assembly as well as the National Legislative Assembly and Minister of Social Development and Human Security Paiboon Wattanasiritham.
“We would like women’s voices to be heard in the drafting of the 2007 Constitution,” said Kingkaew Inwang, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s Office of Women's Affairs & Family Development. “Women’s opinions should be reflected, particularly in matters of representation, family and society.”
“While women in Thailand have made huge progress in terms of education, health, economic opportunities, and employment – better than in most other countries – they have yet to gain a strong political voice,” said United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand Joana Merlin-Scholtes. “There are still very few women in politics and senior government positions in Thailand, in fact less than in many other countries in Asia.”
Women currently make up only 8.7 percent of the interim National Legislative Assembly – one of the lowest rates in Asia. Only two Cabinet ministers are women, and only one provincial governor is a woman. One quarter of senior positions in the civil service are occupied by women, while women make up more than two-thirds of lower level positions. In the February 2005 elections, only 12.4 percent of candidates were women.
Merlin-Scholtes called on political parties in Thailand to promote women candidates, and for the government to consider targets for increasing women in senior positions in the civil service, on high-level committees and boards, and among the membership of independent bodies.
“The representation of women is not just a question of human
rights, it is a question of good governance,” said Merlin-Scholtes.
“Having more women in positions of power will mean better government
and better policies, not just in terms of addressing the needs and
interests of women, but for all people and the country as a
whole.”
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For more information, please contact:
Nick Keyes, nick.keyes@undp.org, Ph: 02 288 1814; Mob: 081 830
1344
Punnipa Ruangtorsak, punnipa.ruangorsak@undp.org, Ph: 02 288
2130; Mob: 081 398 6064
