Thai University Students Shape Campuses to be More Equal with the HeForShe University Tour

Mohammad Naciri, Regional Director of UN Women’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. Photo: UN Women/Pathumporn Thongking

“You, students, have the real power to change the world,” Mohammad Naciri, Regional Director of UN Women’s Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, remarked. “You are the ones who will draw a new blueprint for our societies, economies and political systems to uphold human rights and achieve gender equality, end violence against women. We call you ‘Generation Equality’. Be an activist, say no to gender-based violence, be an active bystander. The change starts with you.”

September’s Tour is special as it puts a spotlight on violence against women on university campuses. The UN Women Guidance Note on Campus Violence Prevention and Response underlines that consequences of violence against women are compounded by the unique conditions of campus life. Often, survivors still cannot avoid sharing classes or other common spaces with perpetrators which may affect academic performance, social functioning around campuses and more. Furthermore, inadequate support from universities can convey messages that such violence is tolerated and that the universities fail to meet their obligations and academic purpose.

Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoota, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University

“Knowledge and action are key to combat gender-based violence, at both individual and structural levels,” Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoota, Vice President of Chulalongkorn University stated. “By creating an enabling environment for everyone to learn about unequal gendered power relations, universities can play an important role in fostering a culture of inclusivity that will help decrease gender-based bias, stereotyping and violence. We are proud to lead the way in Thailand with this HeForShe University Tour.”

Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, the Representative of Thailand to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) for Women's rights. Photo: UN Women/Pathumporn Thongking

“ASEAN launched the ASEAN HeForShe campaign in November 2017. Since then, ASEAN has been committed to the HeForShe Campaign and firmly believes that the youth are a key piece of the puzzle in achieving gender equality for numerous reasons.” Dr. Ratchada Jayagupta, the Representative of Thailand to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) for Women's rights said, “Besides the promotion and protection the rights of women and children, ACWC also contributes the equality among all genders and agrees that men and boys should become involved in current initiatives targeting gender inequality and stand alongside all genders as allies and activists.”

Thai activists associated with the University Tour include Watcharapon “Sia” Kukaewskasem, ending violence against women activist from the Akha community; Jomtian Jansomrag, writer and social activist; Emma Thomas, Muay Thai fighter and social activist; Busayapa Srisompong, pro-bono lawyer and founder of SHero; Thararat Panya, activist against violence on campus; and Shane Bhatla, Program Manager at OUT BKK, Transgender Activist. The speakers emphasized the need to shift away from societal norms that allow gender inequality to exist or excuse it, and the importance of engaging youth in dialogue about gender inequality.

The empowering stories of the activists led to a discussion on the roles of university administrations, professors and students to achieve gender equality and eliminate gender-based violence on campuses. Sirinya Cindy Bishop, model, actress and founder of the #DontTellMeHowtoDress campaign said, “Achieving gender equality never can be done without everyone’s participation. Everyone has a role to play, and now is the time to act.”

The HeForShe University Tour takes place in the lead up to the Beijing Platform for Action 25th Anniversary Commemoration (Beijing +25). 2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). Considered to be the most visionary agenda for the human rights of women and girls, the Beijing Platform for Action, signed by 189 governments, commits to the removal of systemic barriers that hold women back from equal participation in all areas of life.