P&G shows support for gender equality by becoming first HeForShe corporate partner in Asia-Pacific

For immediate release

Bangkok – Procter & Gamble Trading (Thailand) Ltd, or P&G Thailand joins the global campaign HeForShe and declares its commitment to advance gender equality within the company and its affiliates as well as to reach out to men and boys in Thailand to support the campaign.

HeForShe is a solidarity movement designed to engage men and boys around the world to join the gender equality conversation. It highlights women’s rights and freedoms, and the need to give girls and women more opportunities to develop their potential, empowering them to participate more fully in economic and social development and thereby raising their quality of life. Many honored guests attended the event, including Roberta Clarke, Regional Director of UN Women Asia and the Pacific and Representative in Thailand who welcomed the gathering with her opening remarks.

Mr. Raul Falcon, P&G Thailand Country Manager said: “P&G recognises the importance of fostering equality in our company as our employees represent vastly diverse backgrounds, in terms of nationality, religion, gender and even physical condition. We are taking steps by committing to this purposeful action to support UN Women on its global agenda to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.”

P&G Diversity and Inclusion outlines policy to promote respect for our differences and encourages employees to view these differences as assets towards building a stronger organisation. P&G has specialised training programmes to support female employees advance in their careers, as well as safety and health-related programmes and flexible working hours to promote a work-life balance culture. Launched 2010, the global P&G strategy of Diversity and Inclusion has made progress in P&G Thailand to increase the number of women in senior managerial positions with a balanced female-to-male participation ratio.

Ms. Clarke commended P&G for its advocacy of gender equality and respectful relations between women and men. “P&G’s partnership in the HeForShe campaign is significant given the reach of its influence in the marketplace and its clear message that men must play and equal part in creating a world of equal opportunity and peace for all,” said Ms. Clarke.

Honoured speakers included Mr. Somchai Charoenamnuaysuk, Director General of the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development under the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, who spoke statistics and data on gender equality in Thai society as well as on Thai government policies to address the issue; and Mr. Warayut Milintachinda, a renowned entertainment producer who shared his thoughts on societal trends reflected in today’s TV dramas and soap operas, with insights on how producers can help to shape more positive societal views of women. Also on the panel was Ms. Suquan Bulakool, a former news anchor, who shared the moderation and appropriateness in reporting news by emphasizing the importance of responsible reporting its impact on women’s rights and family units and also talked as a mother with a responsibility to nurture a son to become a quality man one day, Mr. Jetrin Wattanasin, a forefront Thai male star who has grown up in the sportsman family, distributed his opinion to utilize sport as a way to support gender equality, and Ms. Kannika Jarusuraisin, P&G Thailand Director of External Relations, contributed her own experiences as part of a company that champions diversity as a strategic path for long-term growth, and its efforts to raise awareness in Thai society on these issues.

In its 2014 Gender Gap Survey, the World Economic Forum ranked Thailand 61st out of 142 countries based on a number of gender equality markers, including level of economic.

The discussion held at the event raised different points of view on gender issues and shed light on some of the obstacles that prevent women from exercising their rights and being actors and beneficiaries of development in the country. It sought to identify steps that individuals in different social spheres and occupations could take to narrow the gender gap in Thailand, and to rid society of violence against women and girls. P&G expressed full support to the HeForShe global campaign for reaching out to young men and boys and engaging them in what has traditionally been viewed as a female-only movement in line with the company’s own policy of inclusion. The reality is that in Thailand and around the world, gender equality can only be achieved if men and boys also rally in collective support.

To participate in this global movement and contribute to improve Thai society for all of its members, simply head to www.heforshe.org and click “I Agree” to show your solidarity. To learn more about the program and track its progress, visit https://www.heforshe.org or http://asiapacific.unwomen.org

Media inquiries:

UN Women Asia and the Pacific
Montira Narkvichien
UN Women Regional Communications Specialist
Tel: +66 2 288 1579
Mobile: +66 81 668 8900
E-mail: montira.narkvichien@unwomen.org

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