“HeForShe University” Gender Equality Tour

Mahidol University International College Joins UN Women in Organizing “HeForShe University” Gender Equality Tour

In 2011, Thailand ranked 69th out of 143 countries in the Gender Inequality Index. In labor economics, gender inequality is widely discussed in terms of concepts of sex segregation and employment discrimination. Thai government and non-governmental organizations have put forth many policies and programs to address gender inequalities in the last few decades (Wikipedia, 2019).

The Social Science Division of Mahidol University International College (MUIC) organized “HeForShe University Tour Bringing Gender Equality to Your Campus” together with the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) on September 13, 2019 at MUIC’s Aditayathorn Building.

The HeForShe University Tour aims to bring awareness regarding gender inequality and its impacts to university campuses across Bangkok. The tour provides a forum for critical discussion, opportunities to listen and learn from guest speakers and students, and a chance for students to brainstorm actions and initiatives they can implement to end gender inequality in their communities. The HeForShe University Tour seeks to engage youth from all genders to actively participate in the fight for gender equality.

HeForShe University Tour Bringing Gender Equality to Your Campus

There were several sessions featuring speakers who explored the central theme of gender equality. The introductory session on gender equality had as panelists Ms. Aijamal Duishebaeva, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator, UN Women; and Assoc. Prof.Chulathida Chomchai, M.D., MUIC Dean.

This was followed by a panel discussion called E.Quality Talks that featured personalities like Watcharapon “Sia” Kukaewkasem, EVAW activist from the Akha community (an ethnic minority group in Thailand); Busayapa “Best” Srisompong, pro-bono lawyer and founder of SHero, #ItHappenedToMeToo; Jomtian Jansomrag, writer, content creator, and social activist; Emma Thomas, blogger, activist, and Muay Thai fighter; and Matcha Phorn-in, LGBTIQ activist and Indie Queer advisor.

The last morning panel was a moderated discussion and Q&A on the topic “What each of us can do to help achieve gender equality?”

Aside from lawyer Busayapa, the panel speakers included Dr. Wankwan Polachan, Program Director of MUIC’s Media and Communication program; Tassama Kaemanuchade, a Mahidol student; and Cindy Bishop, model, activist, and creator of #DontTellMeHowToDress.

The afternoon session was spent conducting an “Ideathon” which gave participants an opportunity to brainstorm ideas and come up with suggestions on the theme “Ending Gender-Based Violence on University Campuses.”

Bishop’s #DontTellMeHowToDress exhibition helped to deliver a strong message by displaying the clothes that survivors of violence wore when they were assaulted.