Report Feature: Regional Exchange Experiences in Promoting Women Political Leaders
16 December 2022
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Picture 1: Poster for public and media relations of
the 16 December 2022 Regional Exchange Event
Project Purpose:
Hosted by GDRI/APSW and supported by IRI, this program aims
to strengthen CSOs’ ability to achieve long-term programmatic impact in
advocacy, increase understanding of civic and political rights across
marginalized communities, and provide underrepresented populations with a
platform to elevate their voices and advocate for greater inclusion,
participation, and representation in Thai politics.
Specific Goals and Objectives:
• Convene elected officials and women leaders to instill
principles and skills for gender-responsive policymaking; and
• Support the expansion of collaboration between local
partners and women-led networks
Current Political Setting and Women in Politics in
Thailand
Within 3 months, a general election is scheduled to be held
in 2023 with new rules: two ballots and a new MP seat calculation dividing 500
seats into 100 for the party list and 400 from single constituencies. Small
parties with fewer than 10 MPs, across from 14 parties, are likely to lose
seats.
New parties are forming, led by MPs or supporters, including
several splits from Palang Pracharat, some of which support Gen. Prayuth. Two
parties, Thai Sang Thai led by Khunying Sudarat and Equality Party by Radawan
Wongsriwong, focus on promoting women in politics, unlike male-dominated new
parties. The splits suggest a more diverse political landscape, moving away
from junta-led alliances, inspired by Move Forward's success through innovative
platforms, dynamic leaders, and social media outreach targeting new and young
voters. Major parties now promote candidates like Pheu Thai’s Paethongtan,
Thaksin Shinawatra’s daughter, as future PM, indicating shifts in political
strategy. The platforms of most parties did not prioritize the rights and
security of women and children, state welfare and social protection,
decentralization, or global crisis issues, such as global warming. The platform
focuses solely on increasing daily wages for workers and providing an assured
salary for new graduates. It is timely for GDRI/APSW and partners to address the
need for increased women’s political participation, equitable and sustainable
policies for vulnerable citizens, and the empowerment of local voices to be
heard by political parties.
Activity Description and Results
A hybrid regional exchange session entitled “Regional
Exchange Experiences in Promoting Women Political Leaders” was held on 16
December 2022 from 08.30 – 17.00 hrs. at Centara by Centara Hotel, Government
Center, Chaeng Wattana Road, Bangkok.
Rationales: In
ASEAN, women hold about 22 percent of parliamentary seats, while countries such
as Vietnam, Lao PDR, the Philippines, and Singapore have a higher proportion of
women legislators, reaching or approaching 30 percent, which is considered the
critical mass needed to push for change.
In Thailand, women legislators are largely underrepresented
in the Parliament. Currently, the proportion of women MPs is 16%; the number of
female Senators is 10%; and the proportion of women in local government is
6-8%. The pro-democracy movements, including the Women’s Movement for Thailand
Reform (WeMove), a network of over 15 women’s organizations, including GDRI/APSW,
continue to advocate for equal representation of women and men in politics and elections
through a gender quota system, but this effort has not yet been successful. It
is concerning that, without an enabling environment that encourages qualified
women to run for office, leadership capacity-building for women candidates,
public pressure for equal political opportunity for women, and a commitment
affirmed by political parties, the increase in the proportion of women
candidates and legislators would not be possible.
As the general election approaches, GDRI used this
opportunity to encourage women to engage more actively in politics. After
consulting with IRI and key partners, including King Prajadhipok Institute
(KPI) and Women’s Movement for Thailand Reform (WeMove), GDRI prepared and
carried out a one-day hybrid regional exchange session entitled “Regional
Exchange Experiences in Promoting Women Political Leaders.” The regional event
aimed to share best practices from successful women political leaders in
domestic and international contexts. It is meaningful and timely to launch a
regional exchange to encourage and support reluctant women who have decided to
run but lack confidence due to shortcomings in the general election.
Format, Regional and Domestic Resource Persons, and
Target Participants:
Format: The
one-day dialogue used a hybrid hub-and-virtual format, targeting women
candidates, their interested supporters, and campaign team members from various
parties. It was broadcast live on the FB Page “Gender Talk” and open for
resource persons and targeted participants to join online via Zoom. Political
participants were included. Simultaneous Thai-English and English-Thai translation
was provided.
Participating in the resource: Four legislators from ASEAN countries served
as resource presenters; two joined in person, and two joined online. Two women
party leaders served as resource speakers: one joined in person and the other
online. Three gender politics experts from KPI and the Westminster Foundation
for Democracy (WFD) contributed studies on women in politics in Thailand and
the region. It should be noted that GDRI was unable to secure invitations from
legislators in Vietnam and Laos to participate in this event as originally
planned. Two invited Lao MPs declined, citing scheduling conflicts with their
initiative Bills that they could not miss. With UN Women Vietnam's assistance, the
invitation to the Vietnamese MP went unanswered. The total number of resource
persons is 9 women.
Joining in person is included.
• H.E. Sylvia Lim Swee Lian, Member of Parliament,
Parliament of Singapore, and Chair of the Worker’s Party
• H.E. Amira Aisya, MUDA Party, Member of the Johor State
Legislative Assembly (MLA), State Legislator in Johor, Malaysia
• Khun Radawan Wongsriwong, Head of Party, Equality Party
• Dr. Thawilwadee Bureekul, Director, Research and
Development Office, King Prajadhipok’s Institute
• Khun Katchada Prommachan, Country Director & Regional
Program Manager, Westminster Foundation for Democracy
• Phetmany Xaycharoen, Country Director, Westminster
Foundation for Democracy, Lao PDR Joining online included:
• H.E. Dyah Roro (Esti) Widya Putri, MP, Member of the
People's Representative Council from Greesik & Lamongan, East Java,
Indonesian House of Representatives
• H.E. Risa Hontiveros, Senator, Senate of the Philippines
• Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan, Head of Party, Thai Sang Thai
Party
Attended Participants:
In-person and online participants: 36 affiliated
participants attended the event, including 29 in person and 7 online. There
were 3 women from government offices and 14 participants representing various
CSOs, with two joining online.
The total number of participants, both in person and online,
was 59.
*** The event was able to engage participants representing
10 political parties
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