Thai PM calls for equal opportunities and support for women

BANGKOK, September 25 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has called for equal roles between men and women and praised the United Nations for improving the rights and life of women worldwide. During her ongoing visit to the United States to attend the 67th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 67 in New York from September 23-29, Yingluck delivered a speech at a meeting called “A Global Conversation:Woman Leaders Respond to the UNGA 67” organized by Barnard College and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, saying that women deserve equal respect, support and opportunities with men, and that women form the majority of populations in Thailand and several other countries, stressing that policies are to guarantee equal opportunities between men and women to allow everyone to help drive global economic development. Yingluck acknowledged that her government's universal health care coverage policy covers women, pregnant women and postnatal women, enabling pregnant women to have easier access to treatment and medicines. Besides, her government supports educational services for girls so that they will have good life. According to the prime minister, there have been more female graduates than male ones in Thailand, which should be a good sign showing that education has not only increased opportunities, but also reduced abuses on women. Premier Yingluck also referred to her government’s fund for the promotion of Thai women’s roles, noting that the fund enables local women to develop their businesses. Besides, her government offers counseling services to women who are victims of sexual and domestic violence. The Thai prime minister praised the United Nations and relevant international organizations for improving the rights and living conditions of women worldwide, namely the Every Woman Every Child project of the UN secretary-general. (TNA)