On the occasion of International Women’s Day, marked on March 8th, the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand (NHRC) has issued a compelling call to action, urging the promotion of gender equality across all sectors. This comes in response to concerning statistics revealing that an alarming average of seven women fall victim to sexual assault and abuse daily in the country.
Chairperson of the NHRC, Pornprapai Ganjanarintr, emphasized the persistent influence of patriarchal structures in Thai society, which contribute to the perpetuation of gender inequality and discrimination. These deeply ingrained societal norms, she asserted, result in widespread instances of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Reports underscore a distressing trend where perpetrators are often familiar figures to the victims, including family members and school staff. Ganjanarintr highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating, “Over seven women have been sexually and physically assaulted per day, placing Thailand among the top countries for sexual assaults against women.”
The NHRC chairperson further expressed concern over the lack of fair prosecution in numerous cases of physical and mental assault against women. She pointed out the insufficiency of female officers in handling such cases, leading to inadequate protection of victims’ rights. Citing a specific case where a woman faced rejection three times when reporting domestic violence by her ex-husband, Ganjanarintr shed light on the systemic challenges that persist.
These issues extend to vulnerable groups, including women and children in war zones, ethnic communities, migrant workers, individuals with disabilities, and women living with HIV. Last year, recognizing the severity of violence against women, the NHRC elevated the matter to the national agenda during the Human Rights Assembly, aligning it with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
Ongoing efforts focus on identifying the root causes of violence and strengthening central data systems to collect comprehensive violence data on women and children across various demographics. Ganjanarintr urged the government and all sectors to enhance services for women, advocating for safe abortion services, increased representation of female officers, women’s empowerment initiatives, and the promotion of women’s political participation at all levels. The overarching goal is to foster a society free from discrimination and violence, echoing the fundamental principles of human rights.
