Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Inquiries:
Montira Narkvichien
+66 (0)81 66 88 900, montira.narkvichien[at]unwomen.org

THAI POLICE CADETS BUILD THEIR SKILLS AS CHANGE AGENTS
ON ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS

(NAKHON PATHOM, Thailand, 15 June 2012) – Thai police cadets today embark on the first-ever training on ending violence against women and girls to increase their knowledge on the nature, extent, and seriousness on crimes perpetrated against women and show commitment as change agent towards ending the global pandemic.   

Following the advocacy to end violence against women supported by Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, the Office of the Attorney General and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) have joined hands with the Police Cadet Academy in organizing the Training Workshop: New Generation to End Violence against Women for the 285 third-year Police Cadet students from today and will call for 80 volunteering students to continue with the training for another two days. The training curriculum includes role of police in justice system, police as change agent, and attitude and behavioral change. The workshop is part of Thailand’s commitment to contribute to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon UNiTE Campaign to End Violence against Women.

In her role as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, HRH Princess Bajrakitiyabha said, “Thailand’s participation in the UNiTE (campaign to EVAWG) confirms our commitment as a global partner in ending violence against women and girls.” An active supporter of the campaign herself, the Princess added, “Collectively we can take a stand and make it known that we will not tolerate one more day of violence against our mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and neighbors.”

“The Police is the first contact point in the justice system.  How laws are being implemented is largely shaped by the Police. Therefore, if the Police are aware and see importance of the rights of women, the Police will be able to facilitate and ensure justice for women in accordance with the law and the objectives of the law,” said Attorney-General Julasingh Wasantasingh.

Violence against women and girls is both an extreme manifestation of gender inequality and discrimination, a tool used to maintain women’s subordinate status. No woman or girl is entirely free of the risks or reach of this gender violence which is considered a centerpiece of women’s human rights.

“At present, there are still rights violation of children and women where violation can be seen in media outlets.  The Police have a significant role to play in providing support to those whose rights are violated in such cases. This is because the justice system starts from the police,” said Police Lieutenant General Aree Onchit, Commissioner of Royal Police Cadet Academy. 

Successful gender-sensitive police services will more effectively prevent violence against women and respond to the specific needs of women and girls.

“Making justice systems responsive to women requires greater understanding on the root cause of gender-based violence and gender stereotypes that reinforce,” said Shoko Ishikawa, Acting Regional Director of UN Women East and Southeast Asia, “We commend this workshop that is well demonstrating that the Government of Thailand is committed to ending violence against women and ensuring gender-responsive justice systems that work for women and the society at large.”

Experiences worldwide have shown that recruitment of women police officers and resourcing of gender desks must be part of a broader strategy to train and incentivize all police to adequately respond to women’s needs. Women being present in justice services can help to enhance accountability and create a system that is responsible to women.

In Thailand, a National Survey in 2009 found that 365,230 ever-married women faced physical violence from intimate partners, especially young women aged 15-19 years. But the number of ever-partnered women facing violence against women remains unknown. Under-reporting of crimes against women is a serious problem in all regions.

In contributing to the UN Secretary-General UNiTE Campaign to End Violence against Women, the UN Women Programme in Thailand will work in partnership with national partners towards effective implementation of the Domestic Violence Legislation, the drafting of the National Action Plan to End Violence Against Women, promoting access to justice for women and gender-sensitive law-making process, and the public advocacy and outreach programme, “the New Generation to End Violence Against Women.”

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NOTE TO JOURNALISTS

UN Women Thailand Programme: Ryratana Rangsitpol,
Thailand Programme Manager
UN Women East and Southeast Asia, Ph: + 6681 62 70 398. Email: ryratana.rangsitpol@unwomen.org

Media Contact: Montira Narkvichien, Communications and Outreach Officer, UN Women East and Southeast Asia, Ph: +66 81 66 88 900;
E-mail: montira.narkvichien@unwomen.org
More information on UN Women at www.unwomen.org

Office of the Attorney General (OAG) is the principal agency responsible for criminal prosecution, provision of legal advice to state agencies, representation of government in court and for international cooperation in criminal matters. It is also the duty of the OAG to protect civil rights and provide legal aid to the needy. The OAG's vision is to be an intelligent and innovative criminal justice administration organization which represents the state and serves people fairly.

The Royal Police Cadet Academy is the only under graduate and graduate institution of the Royal Thai Police, founded on 19 April 1902.  It takes on responsibility to educate police cadets following the special curriculum which has always been adjusted to changes of society. Nowadays the academy runs all the educational course under the police cadet curriculum (year 2006.) The police cadet courses last 4 years and are divided into 3 parts, namely academic, trainging and extra-curricular. The courses follow the educational philosophy aiming to produce police cadets who have full knowledge of police work and police administration, and thorough understanding of legal system concerning their field of work.

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women)is the UN organization dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. Created by the UN General Assembly in July 2010, UN Women became operational on 1st January 2011, and supports UN Member States as they set global standards for achieving gender equality, and works with governments and civil society to design laws, policies, programmes and services needed to implement these standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in all aspects of life, focusing on six priority areas: increasing women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and security processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment; making gender equality central to national development planning and budgeting; and increasing coordination and accountability across the UN system for gender equality.

UNiTE to End Violence against Women is the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s campaign to prevent and eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls in all parts of the world by 2015. Through UNiTE, the entire UN system is joining forces with governments, civil society, women’s organizations, young people, the media and the private sector to raise public awareness, increase political will and resources, and strengthen partnerships to end violence against women and girls.

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