Bangkok--28 Jul--Plan Thailand Communications
UNESCO Bangkok and Plan Thailand call for immediate action to address the safety issues and wider social norms that can leave girls and women vulnerable to acts of violence.
The call follows the horrific rape and murder of 13-year-old girl, Nong Kaem, which took place on a public train bound for Bangkok. This tragic incident comes only days after reports of an attempted rape of a 14-year-old girl in a school classroom in Chonburi.
These incidents sadly bring into sharp focus the results of a study released in March, "School-Related Gender-Based Violence in the Asia-Pacific Region", which found violence in and around schools to be a serious problem plaguing education systems throughout the region.
The study, commissioned by UNESCO Bangkok and implemented in partnership with the East Asia Pacific UN Girls’ Education Initiative, detailed the devastating effects of this violence on the ability of youngsters to learn as well as the dearth of policy education to address the issue.
“Education plays a critical role in changing social norms to promote peace, non-violence and gender equality. It is important that education systems be strengthened to enable all learners to have the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need for healthy relationships based on mutual respect,” said Gwang-Jo Kim, Director of UNESCO Bangkok.
These incidents provide further weight to a growing body of case studies detailing how vulnerable young girls and women are in this region. According to Plan’s Adolescent Girls’ Views on Safety in Cities report (2013), which focuses on girls living in five big cities across the world, the fear of sexual violence is creating “no-go” areas for girls. The research shows girls living in urban areas experience regular threats to their safety in public spaces, transportation and facilities.
“Parents and guardians need to take the best care of their children. The Government of Thailand needs to ensure that the Children Protection System is effectively in place and enforced. The National Child Protection Policy of 2003 should be taken into account and applied widely as minimum standards in all institutions,” said Maja Cubarrubia, Country Director of Plan Thailand.