Special law for women's rights urge

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Subject: Special law for women's rights urged 




March 9, 1999  
SOCIETY
Special law for women's rights urged
Expert points to enforcement failure

Aphaluck Bhatiasevi
A special law to combat discrimination against women and children should be
supported to push for recognition of their rights, a senior official of the
attorney-general's office said yesterday.
While several laws concern discrimination against women and children, the
issue
is not taken seriously by law enforcers, said Kittipong Kittayarak,
director of
Thailand Criminal Law Institute.
He was speaking at a panel marking International Women's Day, which coincided
with the 10th anniversary of the National Commission on Women's Affairs.
The law, drafted by the Justice Ministry, has been rejected several times
because a number of provisions are seen to overlap with other legislation,
such
the labour law.
Mr Kittipong said though the labour law mentions about equal rights of women
and children, it has not been taken seriously because of a number of factors.
The criminal law, which holds that raping one's wife is not a crime, should be
addressed seriously because respect for individual rights should begin at the
family level.
"Discrimination is a sensitive issue which requires special attention.
There is
a need to establish an organisation directly responsible for the matter,
and it
should be done within a year or so," he said.
Paveena Hongsakul, deputy labour and social welfare minister, said the
long-standing problem has not been seriously looked at despite the
existence of
several laws.
"Till today, many families don't know it is against the law to abuse their
children and women," she said. Many parents still feel they have full rights
and can do anything to their children, she said.
Supawadee Petcharat, of Friends of Women, said: "Though state officials say
they recognise the problems of women and children, the recognition is only on
paper".
Mr Kittipong said a major problem is that the drafting and enforcement of
anti-discrimination laws are dominated by males.
Sa-ing Thawaisin, a farmer from Roi-et, said though the new constitution and
new laws recognise equal rights, the matter is spoken about only in a very
limited area.
"Nothing can be done even if there's a new law because the people enforcing

the
law are all same faces. The authority to decide is still with the people who
have power," said Ms Sa-ing.
Women farmers continue to be ignored and are not given a chance to voice their
opinion.
Phetnammung Sriwattana, representing a group of disabled women, urged the
government to amend regulations permitting the exclusion of the disabled from
formal education.
Pointing out that only eight percent of the disabled are educated, she said
this option often keeps disabled girls from going to school. "We don't want to
be a burden to anyone. We want to be able to attend school like other normal
people," she added.
Meanwhile, an alliance of Burmese women's groups has declared its support for
Aung San Suu Kyi and calling for an end to systematic violations.
In a statement, the alliance said the All Burma Women Committee, which is run
by the junta, is led by Gen Pyae Sone, who is minister social affairs and
rehabilitation. 
"The ABWC could not protect Aung San Suu Kyi in the past years when she was
under house arrest. Moreover a women's organisation formed by the regime and
run by a man has ignored the female political prisoners who have been violated
mentally and physically."
Tin Tin Khaing, of the Tavoyan Women's Union, said: "Aung San Suu Kyi is not
only the democracy leader of Burma but the leader of women in Burma."
Dr Cynthia Maung, who is running a clinic for refugees and illegal immigrants
from Burma, said, "Due to lack of health education, women from Burma are
facing
serious health problems including abortions. In some cases, women who were
raped by the soldiers of the Burmese regime became pregnant ... I am very
proud
of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi for her relentless efforts for democracy and human
rights in Burma.'
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Last Modified: Tue, Mar 9, 1999
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