Mekong Institute (MI) hosted the International Training Program titled, “Gender Equality and Women Empowerment: Sharing Thailand’s Good Practices and Experiences” last September 11-22, 2017 at MI’s Residential Training Center, Khon Kaen, Thailand. A total of 19 representatives from Asia, Africa, the Pacific, Central America and Southeastern Europe joined the training. It was held in collaboration with the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA). 

Serving as a platform for knowledge sharing, the event tackled the critical factors undermining the effective participation of women in the economic and political sectors, and captured lessons and good practices from Thailand’s experience and context. By doing so, it aimed to enhance the participants’ appreciation of the value of gender equality for sustainable development and broaden their knowledge on gender mainstreaming tools for use in developing projects and policies. 

Structured learning visits were also organized to sites that work in the areas of women empowerment and protection in Thailand. These included the Office of Women’s Affairs and Family Development (Bangkok), International Rescue Committee (Bangkok), Association of Promotion of the Status of Women under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Soamsawali (Bangkok), and the Rattanapa Khon Kaen Vocational Training and Aid Center (Khon Kaen). 

The training program received the resounding engagement of the representatives as they compared the progress of gender efforts based on the contexts of their respective countries.