BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE

The Thai Constitution of 1997 consists of clauses which serve to guarantee and protect the rights of all human beings, and that determine the role that the state must play in respecting human dignity and promoting gender equality. There is also a call for further development of the unity and strength of families and communities. It sets up through political and legislative processes, measures that aim to eradicate the various obstacles that arise from discrimination. In essence, the Constitution promotes the ideas of human rights, freedom, and equality for all.

The Thai Constitution reflects the problems and status of male/female relationships in Thai society. Gender is an important dimension of the social relations that can be observed at every level, from the family unit to the nation as a whole.

Though attempts have been made to identify and change procedures in the spheres of law, politics, and administration which factor into the problem of gender inequality, the goal of equality is still far from being reached. The existing various methods that have been used in trying to urge the public to fight for gender equality are usually dependent upon specific situations, but they often fail to take into account social, economic, political, cultural and technological changes. In the past there has not been a concrete system and/or way of organization that we could successfully analyze in order to evaluate and do a follow-up of the successes and failures, so it has been hard to come to a conclusion regarding how to solve gender inequality. Without this, we do not have the necessary knowledge that will help us to make a more direct analysis of the problem, and hence, come to a more effective solution.

A necessary facet of achieving equality is to look at issues of gender. It is important to stimulate sensitivity and awareness with regards to women’s human rights in the academic arena.  It is significant to support the women studies efforts; feminist research; strengthen and expand networking at the local, national, and international level. As equally important, the areas of work have to include the issues of disadvantaged minorities such as children, the elderly, and the handicapped.

To support and attain the various principles stipulated in the Constitution regarding gender equality, and in order to push for changes towards democracy, there needs to be an adjustment and revision of laws, and a building up of knowledge and understanding surrounding gender and basic human rights issues.

We need to consider various structures of organizations so that there is a strong foundation with which to conduct meaningful activities. There also needs to be a consideration of the advantages, disadvantages, and possibilities with regards to future trends of societal development. Above all, recognition in the importance of creating a civil society where women’s presence is felt and their participation is equal, substantial and constructive.

 

 

FORWARD’S MAIN ACTIVITIES 

The main activities organized by the Foundation for Women, Law and Rural Development the in collaboration with Women’s Studies Center share the common goal of providing academic and financial support on community, university, regional, national, and international levels.  Following is a summary of the Foundation’s main activities:

THE PARALEGAL TRAINING FOR RURAL WOMEN PROJECT

Since 1990, the Paralegal Training for Rural Women Project has attempted to empower the trainees with knowledge about new legislations on human trafficking, domestic violence, human rights and women’s rights as well as strategies for advocacy of gender equality and human rights through trainings, workshops and study visits.  The project provides for them an opportunity to strengthen the network of grassroots and ethnic women through the “Paralegal Coalition for Rural Women” established by the paralegal alumnae.

COLLOQUIUM ON GENDER JUSTICE OF THE JUDICIAL PERSONNEL

The workshop seminars on Gender Justice aim at raising gender sensitivity and understanding of gender concepts among the participants who are academics from various universities, human right activists, judicial personnel including judges and public prosecutors. Moreover, the network of academics, human right activists as well as judicial personnel can be strengthened in order to advocate for gender justice in judicial process.

RESEARCH TRAINING PROJECT ON FEMINIST RESEARCH METHODS

The Research Training Project on Feminist Research Methods has been undertaken since 1989 and targeted at researchers as well as activists mainly from academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, governmental organizations interested in conducting research and collecting information on women’s issues. The goal of the project is to utilize research as a tool for social change and women’s empowerment.  The training provides knowledge and skills on researching with feminist research methods for the participants. 

GENDER CAMP

Gender Camps has been set up by M.A students of Women’s Studies Center with financial support of FORWARD and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University in order to raise understanding of gender and advocate for gender equality among the youth. The participants were students from high schools or universities.

CAMPAIGNING FOR WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUALITY WITH THE NETWORKS 

In collaboration with the networks of women’s organizations, particularly grassroots women’s organization, FORWARD has been taking part in women’s movement at all levels so as to campaign for women’s human rights protection as well as gender equality and to push for changes towards democracy.

CULTURAL HOUSE

FORWARD supported financially the construction of the Cultural House of the Women’s Studies Center, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University in 2009. It was designed to be used for art exhibitions for women, exhibitions and cultural performances of ethnic and rural women as well as extending the Women’s Studies Information Center area.

 

OFFICE

The Foundation for Women, Law and Rural Development is located at the Paralegal Training for Rural Women Project Building in Women’s Studies Center area, Faculty of Social Sciences, Chiang Mai University. This building consists of the offices of Rural Women’s Paralegal Training Project, the center for women's development activities, office of education officer, research officer, Graduate Students and Women’s Students Center Committee.