The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organised a panel discussion titled ‘Women and SDGs: Unlocking the Silent Potential of Women for the Realistic Achievement of the SDGs’ to raise awareness on the importance and the role of women in creating change and transforming society towards sustainable development in all dimensions and to provide a platform to identify challenges and discuss ways to move forward to unlock the full potential of women.

On 10 September 2020, Mr. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered opening remarks for the panel discussion titled “Women and SDGs: Unlocking the Silent Potential of Women for the Realistic Achievement of the SDGs”, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at Rassada Hall, ICONSIAM. Panelists were from various sectors, namely Ms. Sirinya Burbridge Bishop, Miss Thailand World 1996 and supermodel-turned-activist for women’s rights and ending violence against women, Ms. Thanikan Pornpongsaroj, Member of the House of Representatives and Chair of Palang Pracharath Party’s Committee on Women Policies, Commander Yada Thiemthip, a navy officer who participated in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations, Ms. Oranuch Lerdsuwankij, co-founder and CEO of Techsauce Media, and Ms. Wisansiri Tantrakul, President of the Bangkok Health Volunteer Association, with Ms. Thanyachanok Moonninta, Miss Thailand World 2015, the first Friend of UNDP for Thailand, as Moderator for the discussion. Participants included members of the general public, government agencies, the private sector, civil societies, and representatives from UN entities in Thailand. More than 6,000 people also followed the event through Saranrom Radio Facebook live.

The event aims at raising awareness on the importance and the role of women in creating change and transforming society towards sustainable development in all dimensions, as well as to provide a platform to identify challenges and discuss ways to move forward to unlock the full potential of women.

The panel agreed that, as women account for around 50 percent of the world’s population, they are important stakeholders in creating changes that will bring about the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5 (Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls), which is crucial for achieving all the SDGs. It is therefore essential to support and empower women in order to unlock their full potential. The discussion touched upon perceptions and the need to mobilise and create awareness within society as a whole, inclusive of both women and men as well as the family and workforce.

The event reflected the government’s determination to drive the agenda on gender equality and women empowerment towards concrete results. It was also held in commemoration of the 25^th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 20^th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security, and the 10^th anniversary of United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders or ‘Bangkok Rules’ initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Narendiradebyavati, as well as to emphasise the importance of promoting women advancement and gender equality in order to promote inclusiveness in realising sustainable development where no one is left behind.

An exhibition titled ‘Don’t Tell Me How to Dress’ curated by Ms. Bishop, is currently being held from 10 – 16 September 2020 at Rassada Hall, ICONSIAM, with the aim of calling public attention to violence against women, a serious problem in many societies which has worsened during the COVID-19 crisis.

The event was organised with the support of Siam Piwat Co., Ltd and ICONSIAM, in line with the ‘New Normal’, where social distancing measures were strictly enforced.