CEWSS Jointly Organizing Women Empowerment Program: Accession to Justice and Economic Self-Reliance in COVID-19 Pandemic

Thailand is one of the countries that always promotes gender equality in all dimensions. Women in Thailand have the same rights as men do, according to the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand. However, domestic violence is a matter that must be tackled. Women in Thailand need to be helped in preventing domestic violence, especially for poor families.

For this reason, the Center of Excellence for Women and Social Security (CEWSS), Walailak University, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Thailand, Equality Promotion Foundation (NGO Partner), the Faculty of Political Science, Prince of Songkla University (Pattani Campus) and Fatoni University, organized a cross-sectoral dialogue titled “Ending Domestic Violence and Empowering Women in the Upper Southern Region”. It was organized, particularly for SDG 5: Gender Equality, to empower women’s access to justice and economic self-reliance during the COVID-19 situation.

The event was organized in Conference Room 4, 2nd Floor, Science and Technology Park Building, Walailak University, in collaboration with NGOs, government organizations, international organizations, health institutions, and education institutions. 

The key speakers at the cross-sector dialogue event were those who specialized in or have been working for social science, domestic violence prevention, and others, including:

1. Asst. Prof. Dr. Wachiraporn Poungjinda, a researcher and lecturer at Walailak University
2. Ms. Supensri Pungkoksung, Director of Equality Promotion Foundation (NGO Partner)
3. Miss Worapat Sangkaew, Head of Medical Social Work Group
4. Miss Kupatma Kalikatapo, Lecturer of the Faculty of Laws at Fatoni University

During the event, lectures and exchanges were made on ending legal challenges and best practices. The topics discussed at the event are as follows:

• The rights of women, children, and family members in the case of violence by Ms. Supensri Pungkoksung
• Hospital work and helping victims of domestic violence cases by Miss Worapat Sangkaew
• A Lawyer’s Perspective on the Process of Assisting Victims of Domestic Violence Cases by Miss Kupatma Ali Katapo
• The legality of women and violence, a case study of the legal framework of Thailand by Asst. Prof. Dr. Wachiraporn Poungjinda

After providing lectures on each topic, the key speakers also exchanged perspectives on tackling the domestic violence of women from their own distinct experiences. All speakers were from different career sectors, which was beneficial for attendees because they gained knowledge and insights from medical practitioners, lawyers, researchers, university lecturers, and social volunteers. The attendees also exchanged violent experiences that they faced with the speakers.

In addition, Walailak University, through the Center of Excellence for Women and Social Security, adopted all the insights and knowledge from the event to disseminate to Walailak students and staff by creating educational media, teaching, and providing schemes and outreach. This knowledge will be a fundamental issue for Walailak University in creating policies on women encompassing all dimensions of SDG 5: Gender Equality.