The 39th Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group will conduct the 3rd UPR of Thailand. All interested individuals and organizations, including civil society organizations, activists, and academics with work related to Thailand were invited to provide their input ahead of the 3rd UPR cycle that will take place on 10th November 2021.

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In this context, Manushya Foundation jointly with EMPOWER Foundation, the Women’s Workers for Justice Group (WJG), the Thai Positive Women Foundation (TPWF), the Indigenous Women’s Network of Thailand (IWNT), the Health & Opportunity Network (HON), and the Amnat Charoen Friend of Women Center collaborated on a joint UPR submission ahead of Thailand’s 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) cycle. The submission examines the compliance of Thailand with the recommendations it received during its 2nd UPR Cycle, particularly in relation to marginalized women’s rights. Specifically, we analyze Thailand’s respect for gender equality, the fight against gender-based violence and the protection of women pertaining to minorities and social groups. 

 

This submission documents the discrimination especially in employment and at the workplace against women and gender-based violence. Moreover, women who belong to certain social groups such as the LGBTIQ+ community, indigenous peoples, migrant workers, sex workers, people living with HIV and persons with disabilities face multiple layers of discrimination and barriers to advance their rights. 

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This submission indicates that marginalized women face severe challenges in accessing their human rights, in the following manner:

 

• Section 2 examines Thailand’s failure to tackle gender inequality and gender discrimination.

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• Section 3 examines Thailand’s failure to de-normalize domestic violence and address gender-based violence.

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• Section 4 examines Thailand’s failure to protect the rights of LBTIQ women.

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• Section 5 examines Thailand’s failure to protect the rights of the indigenous women.

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• Section 6 examines Thailand’s failure to protect the rights of women migrants’ workers and sex workers.

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• Section 7 examines Thailand’s failure to protect the rights of women living with HIV and/ or disabilities.

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• Section 8 contains a number of recommendations to address the concerns raised in this submission and provided guidelines for the improvement of women’s rights in Thailand.

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An annex provides an assessment of the implementation of the 2nd cycle UPR recommendations related to women’s rights and gender equality. 
 

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