Region:Asia Pacific
Current UN Women Plan Period Afghanisthan:2018-2022
World Bank Income Classification:Low Income
The World Bank classifies economies for analytical purposes into four income groups: low, lower-middle, upper-middle, and high income. For this purpose it uses gross national income (GNI) per capita data in U.S. dollars, converted from local currency using the World Bank Atlas method, which is applied to smooth exchange rate fluctuations.
Least Developed Country:Yes
Since 1971, the United Nations has recognized LDCs as a category of States that are deemed highly disadvantaged in their development process, for structural, historical and also geographical reasons. Three criteria are used: per capita income, human assets, and economic vulnerability.
Gender Inequality Index:0.575
GII is a composite metric of gender inequality using three dimensions: reproductive health, empowerment and the labour market. A low GII value indicates low inequality between women and men, and vice-versa.
Gender Development Index:0.723
GDI measures gender inequalities in achievement in three basic dimensions of human development: health, education, and command over economic resources.
Population:209,497,025
Source of population data: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2022). World Population Prospects: The 2022 Revision
Male:19,976,265 (9.5%)
Female:189,520,760 (90.5%)
outcome XM-DAC-41146-THA_D_2.1
More women lead, participate and have access to business opportunities to advance sustainable and inclusive growth
N/A
outcome XM-DAC-41146-THA_D_3.1
Laws, policies and strategies adopted and implemented in line with international standards and informed by voices of women survivors of violence to prevent and respond to VAWG
N/A
outcome XM-DAC-41146-THA_D_6.1
A comprehensive and dynamic set of global norms, policies and standards on gender equality and women's empowerment is in place and is applied through action by Governments and other stakeholders at all levels
UN Women Thailand has collaborated closely with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security through various platforms to ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality into laws and policies. This partnership reflects a commitment to integrating gender perspectives across legal and policy frameworks, fostering a more inclusive and equitable societal landscape. Through collaborative efforts, both entities strive to enact positive change and promote gender-responsive approaches. Following the conclusion of Thailand's initial phase of the Women’s Development Action Plan 2020–2022 in 2022, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has recently introduced the Women’s Development Plan 2023-2027. This strategic initiative aims to operationalize gender strategies and position gender-related issues as a primary concern across all state agencies. The overarching vision is to ensure that women and girls have ample opportunities for comprehensive advancement, equitable treatment, and protection from all forms of violence in a society that prioritizes and comprehends gender equality. The plan comprises six key pillars to guide its implementation: (1) developing women’s human capital, (2) eliminating violence against women, (3) promoting women’s participation in decision-making, (4) engaging in public communication to foster social awareness, values, and belief systems supportive of gender equality, (5) creating management tools to empower and promote gender equality, and (6) enhancing the core capacity of the national women’s development mechanism. This comprehensive approach signifies a commitment to addressing various facets of gender inequality and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society. In 2023, UN Women Thailand continued its steadfast support for the Royal Thai Government's efforts to advance Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE), aligning with CEDAW, UNSCR 1325, and the localization of SDGs 5, 16, and 17. The impactful initiatives undertaken comprised a workshop in June 2023 focused on Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting for the Implementation of the WPS Agenda. With 35 participants from key national government organizations, including the Budget Bureau, Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Ministry of Defense, Royal Thai Police, and others, the workshop equipped national authorities with essential knowledge and skills on Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB). Insights gained have been instrumental in advancing UN Women Thailand's support for a gender-responsive approach and GRB. Another set of three initiatives involved workshops for local authorities in the Northern Border provinces in August to promote Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at the local level. These workshops aimed to raise awareness and build the capacity of local government authorities on gender mainstreaming. By integrating gender-responsive approaches into policies and strategies, the focus was on advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) while addressing Gender-based Violence (GBV)/violence against Women and girls (EVAWG). The participating local authorities, including Provincial Office of Social Development and Human Security, Provincial Police, Governor/Provincial Office, and others, gained insights into good governance principles and the strategic role of gender-responsive budgeting/procurement. In addition to these initiatives, UN Women actively participated in the Sub-Committee on WPS as an expert, providing technical support on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Furthermore, UN Women supported the preparation of the 6th–7th combined report on the Implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Report), outlining Thailand’s progress from 2011 to 2023. Strategic partnerships at both national and local levels, including collaborations with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), and local women’s organizations, have been instrumental in promoting GEWE. Joint events, such as the International Women’s Day celebration and UN Women’s active participation in the Sub-Committee on the Selection of Outstanding Women on Women Equality, exemplify the commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment through tangible, result-oriented initiatives.
outcome XM-DAC-41146-THA_D_6.2
Legal frameworks and policies to advance women's leadership, women's rights to participate in decision making at national and local levels, and women's access to justice are reformed/ adopted and implemented.
In addition to the Royal Thai Government’s consideration on the development and amendment of several laws aimed at fostering greater inclusivity and recognizing diverse gender identity and relationships, including the d raft Gender Recognition Act , the d raft Civil Partnership Act , and the d raft Amendment to the Civil and Commercial Code (draft Act on equal marriage) , Thailand has conducted an evaluation of the implementation of the Gender Equality Act of 2015. A proposal has been put forth to abolish exceptions on gender discrimination outlined in Article 17, paragraph 2, which currently allows for discrimination based on religious principles or national security reasons. The aim is to align the definition of “discrimination based on gender” with international standards, particularly addressing issues related to gender-based violence and sexual harassment. Acknowledging the results of the performance evaluation, the Law Reform Commission, the Office of the Council of State, and the Committee to Promote Gender Equality have all played key roles. Moving forward, the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development will appoint a committee to consider amendments to improve the Gender Equality Act of 2015, aligning it with the evaluation results and international standards in the future. In 2023, UN Women made substantial strides in collaboration with approximately 20 civil society organizations (CSOs) and women-led organizations at both national and local levels, aiming to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. The collective efforts focused on two critical thematic issues: Women Peace and Security (WPS) and gender-responsive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and preparedness, resulting in impactful outcomes. Sixteen local CSOs/NGOs from the Southern Border Provinces, actively participating in the Coordination Center for Children and Women (CCCW) Committee, along with three national CSOs/NGOs affiliated with the Sub-Committee on Women Peace and Security, played pivotal roles in coordinating the implementation of the Measure and Guideline on Women Peace and Security in the Southern Border Provinces. Their engagement extended to supporting the drafting of the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security. Through consistent advocacy efforts in the field and advisory functions in both national and local mechanisms, these organizations contributed significantly. The Measure and Guideline on WPS, initially implemented in the Southern border provinces, have expanded to the national Action Plan on WPS, creating a broader and more inclusive interpretation of WPS in Thailand and ensuring nationwide implementation. Moreover, in collaboration with the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development and the Sustainable Development Foundation, UN Women supported local CSOs and authorities in the Southern Border provinces. This support involved training workshops on gender-responsive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and conducting research and interviews to equip local authorities and communities with knowledge and skills related to DRR. The series of UN Women's support initiatives led to notable achievements: The Southern Borders Administrative Center (SBPAC), a key government development agency in the Southern Border Provinces, endorsed gender mainstreaming and social inclusion in its organizational policies, enhancing gender-responsive emergency preparedness and risk reduction in the region. Learning platforms increased understanding and capacity for both government and civil society organizations, fostering linkages between gender and climate change, security, and disaster risk reduction. The development of community action plans for disaster preparedness and risk reduction with integrated gender considerations in the plans of targeted communities. The formulation of Standard Operating Procedures for gender-responsive emergency preparedness and risk reduction in communities. UN Women Thailand's contributions have led to substantial policy-level changes, encouraging both national and local governments to integrate gender into their policies and strategies for advancing Women, Peace, and Development (WPD) and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). UN Women has also supported the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to develop the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security and the draft was reviewed by the Sub-Committee on Women Peace and Security with comments for further discussion and revision. In 2023, UN Women in partnership with the MSDHS has organised two consultation with gocverment stakeholders in September and October to discuss role of relevant organizations in advancing WPS agenda, existing coordination and monitoring mechanisms, and indicators in order to validate National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security on WPSto for further endorsement in the Committee on the Promotion of the Development of the Status of Women, the National Committee on Policy and Strategy for the Development of the Status of Women,and the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC). The government representative provided fruitful discussion and useful comments on the drfat which were revised accordingly prior to submission to the next step for review and endoresment. The and frutwo consultation meetings included 40 Key national government agencies responsible for WPS advancement.Showing 1 - 4 of 4
Disclaimer and notes
The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on this map do not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).
Form