Equality in Motion: Analyzing the Implications of Thailand's Same-Sex Marriage Bill Published: 5 April 2024 Article Thailand’s marriage equality bill, which would legalize and recognize same-sex unions, passed its first reading in the upper house of parliament, a major milestone that could potentially make the country the first in Southeast Asia to do so. Pasavat Tanskul
Vagina Talks and Claiming Sexuality in Vietnam Published: 1 September 2023 Interview Phuong Phan interviewing Nhung Dinh on her book: "Vagina Talks: Queer and Sexuality Lexicon" Phuong Phan, Nhung Dinh
The Inspiring yet Uncertain Future of the Vietnamese LGBTIQ Rights Movement Published: 28 August 2023 Opinion Explore the Vietnam's LGBTIQ rights journey, from historic Article 37's 2015 victory allowing gender change, to challenges and successes. Despite uncertainties, progress continues as the movement forges on, echoing gratitude's lasting impact. A beacon for equality, it inspires a new era of activism, shaping a fairer society. Luong The Huy
The Human Face and the Social Costs: Still Waiting for LGTBQIA+ Recognition in Vietnam Published: 14 June 2022 Opinion Valerie Hammond came out as a gay man when she was 17 before realizing that she is a trans woman. In sharing her personal experiences of becoming transgender two years ago, she reflects on the continual social discrimination and lack of legal rights the LGBTQIA+ community in Vietnam still face. Valerie Hammond
One Queer Fight for Southeast Asia amid a Pandemic of Fear and Oppression Published: 17 May 2022 Opinion As the COVID-19 pandemic draws to a close, it will leave the vulnerable, especially countless LGBTQIA+ persons, desperate for deliverance and justice. In this regard, the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT) has become more significant than ever. It calls us to seek those who are scared and traumatized, and lift them from the rubbles. Joel Mark Baysa-Barredo
The Plastic Crisis Must Be on the Feminist Agenda Published: 18 March 2022 Article An abundance of plastic is overwhelming our environment and threatening our health. There is a clear absence of gender-considerate approaches, even though women are significantly discriminated against, due to their increased exposure via household labor, work in the plastics industry, and use of menstrual plastic products. Female-led solutions to recycling and unpacking gender norms can contribute greatly to addressing this issue, though it remains a problem for everyone to deal with. Cinnamon Isabella Ernst
Gender and Climate Change: Snapshots from Southeast Asia Published: 9 September 2021 Article Most regions in the world have been – to some extent – affected by climate change, and Southeast Asian countries are no exception. Within the group of people who are affected, recognition needs to be accentuated on the disproportionate impact of climate change along gender lines. It is essential for the region to further enhance their collaborative climate actions to respond to the need of a gender transformational change that will increase women’s resiliency toward the risk of climate change. Tri Sulistyo Saputro
Vulnerability of Women and Forests in the RCEP Commitment Published: 16 December 2020 Article Indonesia is among the 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan and South Korea which has officially signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in November 2020. This article explores social and environmental vulnerabilities in the region with a main focus on perspective from Indonesian civil society. Dewi Candraningrum
From Aspiration to Application, There is a Long Way to Go: On Gender and International Financial Institutions’ Safeguards Policies Published: 19 October 2020 Analysis As institutions claimed themselves as concerning with gender equality, we would assume that gender and women’s issues are in the center of its development efforts as shown on the website of ADB, World Bank and AIIB: many women’s and children faces. Titi Soentoro
“The civil union bill misses the target” says Thailand’s first transgender MP Published: 2 July 2019 Interview Isaan Record, long-term partner of Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Southeast Asia Office, interviewed Tanwarin Sukkhapisit on the factors that are influencing a sea-change in Thai society’s attitudes towards gender equality, focusing on a long discussed civil union bill. This bill would allow LGBT+ to enter a marriage-like partnership which is awaiting a final decision from Thailand’s yet-to-be-decided government. The Isaan Record
Changing Political Tides Published: 14 January 2016 The LGBT Movement in Thailand has struggled over the past two decades in applying a holistic human-rights-based approach as a strategy to achieve its goals. This article analyzes the fledgling relationship between the state and the multifaceted LGBT movements in light of a rapidly changing political landscape. Srijula Yongstar
“I am first a Buddhist, second a feminist” Published: 5 January 2016 In an interview, Ven. Dhammananda Bhikkhunī, the first fully ordained Thai Theravada Buddhist nun, speaks about the struggle for female ordination in Thailand and expresses her hopes for progress. Srijula Yongstar, Florian Reinold
Single Motherhood Published: 15 October 2013 Single parenting, particularly single motherhood, has become more widespread and recognized in Thailand. When the single parent is the mother, much of the burden rests on women. This article is an attempt to explore how the Thai legal system deals with and prepares for such situations.
Gender Discourse in Thai Politics Published: 15 October 2013 Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra’s sudden rise to the highest position in the Thai political hierarchy is phenomenal and significant. That Thailand now has its first female prime minister has provoked reactions from almost everywhere. To fully understand the phenomenon of the first-female-premier, it is firstly required to examine how women in politics and gender discourse are related. This article has summarized the discussion from academics, writers and civil society activists on the issues.
Stereotypes dominate debates about Yingluck Published: 15 October 2013 Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra’s sudden rise to the highest position in the Thai political hierarchy is phenomenal and significant. That Thailand now has its first female prime minister has provoked reactions from almost everywhere. To fully understand the phenomenon of the first-female-premier, it is firstly required to examine how women in politics and gender discourse are related. This article has summarized the discussion from academics, writers and civil society activists on the issues.
Briefing Report: Women in Thailand Published: 15 October 2013 The current briefing report on the situation of “Women in Thailand” provides information on the situation of Thai women in political, economic and social aspects. The report states that the share of women in the Thai Parliament is only 13.3 percent. It shows that although Thai women were given the rights to vote for eight decades, the political landscape is still dominated by men.
Women and Community Radio Published: 15 October 2013 Community radio (CR) is the best concrete example of media reform in Thailand, because radio is a medium that is highly accessible in rural areas, and involves low production costs and levels of necessary expertise. Since 2007, the Multiculturalism and Educational Policy Research Centre (Multi-Ed), Faculty of Education, Chiang Mai University is interested in women’s programs and in the number of woman broadcasters.
Women's voices, Women's Choice- 100 years of International Women's Day Published: 15 October 2013 The 100 year anniversary of the international women’s day will be celebrated in many countries around the world in March 2011. To celebrate this event, the website “Women’s Voices, Women’s Choices - 100 years of international women’s day” in English and German version was created by Heinrich Boell Stiftung collaborating with its international and German Partners to increase public awareness concerning women and gender related topics.
15 Years of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA) Published: 15 October 2013 The meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the 54th session of the United Nations was held between 1 and 12 March, 2010 at the headquarters of the United Nations in New York City, USA. The themes of the meeting included a review of the progress and successes of the implementation of member countries and the critical areas of concern during the 15th anniversary of the ratification of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA) released during the Fourth Women’s World Summit held in the People’s Republic of China in 1995.
