Pro-Older Women Project kicked off during International Women’s Day in Thailand
On March 8, various groups of women including migrant workers, youth, indigenous groups, persons with different abilities, LGBTIQ, and older persons gathered at the Tha Pae Gate, Chiang Mai Thailand to celebrate the International Women’s Day 2020 (IWD).
Group photo of older women representatives and person with different abilities representatives
On March 8, various groups of women including migrant workers, youth, indigenous groups, persons with different abilities, LGBTIQ, and older persons gathered at the Tha Pae Gate, Chiang Mai Thailand to celebrate the International Women’s Day 2020 (IWD). The theme of this year’s event is “Rise, Strike and Equity”.
The Foundation for Older Persons’ Development or FOPDEV joined the said celebration to launch the project of “Promoting Financial Security of Older Women in Southeast Asia” or Pro-Older Women, a multi-country pilot gender and age mainstreaming project aiming to enhance older women’s wellbeing through improving the levels of financial security of older women.
Ms. Panngam Sommana, representative of older women, delivering a public statement during IDW2020
The event started with the marching from Chiang Mai Religion Practice Center. Activities included traditional performance, delivering of a public statement, and ended with collective dance for One Billion Rising.
FOPDEV team and our information booth
The event attracted over 200 local Thais and foreign guests. An interactive booth was set up by FOPDEV to provide information about the situation of older women in Thailand. During the event, attendees jointly played games with older women at FOPDEV’s booth which aimed to draw attention on the challenges older women face and increase awareness on reducing ageism.
The representative of the Civil Society Organizations for Gender Equality (CSOs GE) read the joint statement and submitted to the Chiang Mai Governor, Mr. Charoenrit Sa-nguansat. Ms. Panngam Sommana, representative of older women, delivered a public statement calling for the promotion of well-being of older women by enhancing their financial security such as providing employment opportunities and financial inclusion, and advocating for universal pension in Thailand. The participation of older women at IWD 2020 helped in the inclusion of older women’s issues into the women’s rights movement and making their voices heard.