Bangkok, Thailand – The bi-annual Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards ceremony in Thailand has recognized 18 businesses for their efforts in advancing gender equality across their value chains. The 18 awarded companies were selected from among 64 applicants from across the country—from major corporations to small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The 2024 Thailand WEPs Awards was organized by UN Women and supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), together with local key women’s economic empowerment drivers, namely Advantage Austria Bangkok, Thai E-Commerce Association, Thai Listed Companies Association, the Office of SMEs Promotion, the Securities and Exchange Commission Thailand, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the UN Global Compact Network Thailand.
Christine Arab, Regional Director of UN Women Asia and the Pacific and UN Women Representative to the Kingdom of Thailand highlighted, “The WEPs Awards are not just recognition—they are a catalyst, inspiring business partners, suppliers, employees, customers, and future entrepreneurs to drive innovation and resilience, fuelling sustainable economic growth for Thailand and beyond. Thailand’s level of women in management and women CEOs exceeds the global and national averages and this is reflective of the commitment of the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and private sector leaders to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.”
To recognise the support of the Thai government in recent years, WEPs Exemplary Ally Recognition tokens were offered to the Community Development Department, Ministry of Interior, the Department of Business Development, the Ministry of Commerce, the Department of Women's Affairs and Family Development, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, Office of SMEs Promotion and the Securities and Exchange Commission, for their strong leadership and continued commitment to the WEPs.
Michaela Friberg-Storey, the UN Resident Coordinator remarked in her speech that gender equality is the engine room for sustainable development. She also recognized Thailand as a leader in gender equity in the workplace with 41 per cent of CEOs and 43 per cent of CFOs in the country being women.
The ceremony celebrated visionary CEOs and business leaders championing gender equality in their organizations and communities. It honoured businesses pioneering gender-inclusive policies, integrating gender perspectives into their products, services, and value chains. Awards also recognized impactful community programs, transparency in gender reporting, and innovative financing that promotes equality. Finally, the SME Champion Award applauded small and medium-sized enterprises expanding their horizons to gender-inclusive practices.
The seven top winners from each category, now representing Thailand, along with national winners from other countries in the region, will enter the Asia-Pacific WEPs Awards which are set to be held and broadcasted on 3 December via UN Women Asia-Pacific Channel.
“Women’s economic empowerment is critical to the economic resilience of the Mekong subregion. Enabling women-owned businesses and gender-responsive enterprises to flourish is key to economic inclusivity and a thriving private sector.” added Dr. Angela Macdonald PSM, Australian Ambassador to Thailand.
The Women Empowerment Principles equipped businesses over 10,000 companies across the globe with guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. More than 150 companies of all sizes in Thailand have joined this transformative network – creating more equal opportunities for everyone, fostering partnership and innovative solutions and driving progress in gender equality, corporate responsibility, and sustainable socio-economic growth across Thailand and the Asia-Pacific region.
About WEPs Awards
The WEPs Awards aim to encourage, value and recognize the efforts of individuals and private companies that promote gender equality in business in the Asia-Pacific. It was initiated by WeEmpowerAsia, a 2019-2022 UN Women programme supported by the European Union. The 2024 WEPs Awards is organized as part of the new UN Women initiative ‘Gender Action Lab: Innovation and Impact for Gender Equality in Asia-Pacific,’ which is supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
At the national level, UN Women joins hands with local partners, namely Advantage Austria Bangkok, the Thai E-Commerce Association, the Thai Listed Companies Association, the Office of SMEs Promotion, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and the UN Global Compact Network Thailand to drive gender equality agenda in the business world and co-host the 2024 Thailand WEPs Awards.
About Gender Action Lab
The 2024 WEPs Awards is organized as part of the new initiative ‘UN Women Gender Action Lab: Gender Action Lab: Innovation and Impact for Gender Equality in Asia-Pacific,’ supported by the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The UN Women Gender Action Lab (GAL) seeks to galvanize innovative efforts for gender-transformative action and impact in the private sector to advance gender equality, women’s empowerment and sustainable development in the region. Launched for an initial period of four years with a particular focus on Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, and with activities for the broader ASEAN region, GAL is envisioned to grow in a long-term, multi-stakeholder and multi-donor platform across Asia and the Pacific.
Media inquiries:
Thatphorn Nakkarasin
Programme and Communication Coordinator
Email: thatphorn.nakkarasin@unwomen.org