BANGKOK, 31 July 2012 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has today allotted a 20-million-baht budget to the women’s fund in each province across the country in an effort to uplift the quality of life for Thai women.
Prime Minister Yingluck presided over the official opening ceremony of the Women Empowerment Fund Program this morning at Impact Muang Thong Thani. Representatives from women’s groups nationwide were invited to participate in the ceremony.
The event features several exhibitions on women’s roles to mark the Thai Women’s Day, which falls on August 1 of every year, as well as an exhibition in honor of Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of her 80th birthday anniversary this August 12.
At the opening ceremony, Ms. Yingluck authorized the transfer of 20 million baht to the bank account of the women’s fund in each of Thailand’s 77 provinces, totaling 1.54 billion baht. Throughout the program, an average of 100 million baht will be allocated to each province, or a total of 7.7 billion baht.
The government’s Women Empowerment Fund was set up to promote gender equality and women’s rights and to improve the economic and social conditions for Thai women. It also aims to strengthen women’s groups and provide assistance to the underprivileged in anticipation of many changes during the formation of the ASEAN Community in 2015.
The Yingluck administration’s main policies include encouraging women’s participation in the country’s development, ensuring security in their lives as well as empowering their roles at all levels.
