People from all origins must actively participate in healing efforts in Thailand, according to local activists, which calls for the development of diverse policies that enable women and marginalized groups to bring about a just and lasting peace.
The King Prajadhipok’s Institute (KPI), in collaboration with civil society organizations working for gender equality, recently held a conference titled” People and the Acceleration of Peace” to raise questions about how important women and girls are in creating a peaceful world.
Participants emphasized the need to increase women’s voices and increase their involvement in the peace process. Additionally, KPI deputy secretary general Thawilwadee Bureekul emphasized how important it is for women to play a role in political policy and decision-making, noting that their political engagement is frequently hampered by their distaste for the political system.
Only 9.5 % of Thai women seriously trust the political system, according to a study by KPI last year on public confidence in Thailand’s political and civil services, compared to only 9.3 % of Thai women who have faith in legal services. According to the KPI, this lack of trust has discouraged many women from pursuing social jobs.
Only 883 of the 4, 779 candidates for seats in the 2023 general election were women, and only 82 percent ( 82 % ) of the total were women.
According to Ms. Thawilwadee, societal expectations and a lacked community support also prevent women from getting involved in politics. Women are not included in social and political elections, which leads to less awareness and inclusion in peacebuilding initiatives. When talking about harmony, we must also take into account intertwining names, including age, she said.
She emphasized the need for LGBTQ tones to be a part of more decision-making techniques.
According to Ms. Thawilwadee, who cited KPI study, LGBTQ children were disproportionately affected by domestic violence because their families lacked acceptance. She said,” Peace had begin within families, not just at the political level.”
The responsibility of Thai people in the deep South in civil society and efforts to end world war, discussed by Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, a professor at Prince of Songkla University’s Peace Studies Institute.
She emphasized the need for more women participants in peace agreements. She continued,” To date, there hasn’t been a woman representing Thailand on the BRN part in the discussions with the Barisan Revolusi Nasional.”
Ms. Rungrawee claimed that only a small percentage of women are involved in the Patani activity. She said that simply adding more females to peace efforts is insufficient. Their fears are really heard and addressed, she said.
She cited the UN Women’s report” Making Women Count– No Just Counting Women” as a proof that powerful female involvement in peacebuilding depends on a number of factors, including the selection process for representatives, decision-making bodies, alliance-building, and economic support.
A welcoming social setting is also essential to ensuring meaningful relationship. Women’s responsibilities in peace transcend discussions. Their presence may include broad scale initiatives like diverse income, problem-solving workshops, public hearings, and bulk movements, she said.
Research has shown that peace negotiations are more effective when people constantly participate in them. In contrast, their isolation stifles the peace approach.