Young artists in Thailand call for gender equality using a surprising range of media

Young artists have a particular contribution to make to the global call for gender equality. A recent competition and exhibition for young people in Thailand showcased their creativity along with their desire for a world free of gender-based stereotypes, discrimination and abuse. The event marked the culmination of a collaboration between UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and the Embassies of France and Mexico in the context of the Generation Equality Forum which culminates in Paris from 30 June – 2 July 2021. 

Bangkok, Thailand – A stunning range of works expressing youth perspective on gender issues were featured in an online display under the title Youth Voices for Generation Equality, a project carried out by UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific along with the embassies of France and Mexico in Thailand.

The pieces, by Thai and international youth living in Thailand, expressed the artists’ demands for greater gender equality and women’s and girl’s empowerment through media including dance, performance art, poetry, painting, and collage. The specific topics ranged from sexual and reproductive health rights to gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and feminist movements and leadership.

The winning works tactfully tackle how tradition, cultural norms, religion, education, ignorance, victim blaming, and mental health can intensify the consequences of gender inequality, while demanding the need for change. A traditional Thai dance performance with modern twists and a commentary on changing convention, a spoken-word poem calling attention to the role of bystanders and community in sexual assault, and a collage depicting women breaking into a frame of global and government leaders were among the top submissions.

The showcase is the sixth and final product in the series of events co-organized under the framework of the Generation Equality Forum (GEF), a civil society-centred, global gathering convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of France and Mexico. In the lead up to the close of the Forum in Paris between 30 June and 2 July, one event per month has taken place in Thailand since last January to raise awareness of the importance of urgent joint action for gender equality.

The call for submissions spanned the field of performing arts, visual arts, and rhetorical expression to anyone between the ages of 15 – 24 years old living in Thailand. Almost 40 submissions were received from 3 June to 16 June, and nine were then shortlisted by an internal review committee of topic and industry experts, who went on to declare three winners, one for each category.

“It is undeniable that the arts can have a significant influence on the perceptions of women and girls, which is why UN Women is proud of its support in this area,” noted Mohammad Naciri, Regional Director of UN Women Asia and the Pacific. “Yet, we must do so while remembering how women have traditionally been excluded from the business of the arts. In fact, a report released by UNESCO just last week indicated that despite recent progress towards gender equality, there continues to be a significant gender gap in the creative and cultural industries. And so, platforms such as these, that bring to light works that focus on issues of inequality, can also spotlight the skills and contributions of young people – regardless of gender – to the arts to empower and inspire others.”

H.E. Elisabeth Moreno, French Minister Delegate for Gender Equality, Diversity and Equal Opportunities, attached to the Prime Minister said, “In this 21st century the fight for equality is still relevant. It is more so than ever in the context of the current pandemic, which disproportionately affects vulnerable people, firstly women, in many countries,” addressing the young people who took part in this call. She added, “Even if you do not win today, the fight for equality between women and men will have progressed a little further thanks to you, thanks to your commitment.”

“In order to achieve full gender equality, we must continue down the path of advancing feminism until awareness and justice reach every society in every corner of the world,” said Bernardo Cordova, his Excellency the Ambassador of Mexico to Thailand. 

The event was also an occasion for celebrities and influencers to reiterate their commitment to gender equality and to support the efforts to advance this cause. Thai singer Pat Klear made a notable contribution sharing her relationship to feminism and discussed the importance of women’s empowerment and self-confidence to create healthy social dialogue between men and women.

“I am among a lot of women who work in a male-dominated industry. I know very well what the challenges are. And I, myself, used to fight quite aggressively against this matter [….] Things were harder for me to achieve compared to my fellow male industry peers. […] We should never stop being actively engaged in raising gender equality awareness because it’s a topic that matters so much to all of us, and to support those who’ve been taken advantage of just because of their gender.”

The online showcase of Youth Voices for Generation Equality can be accessed at: YouTube.com/unwomenesea, Facebook.com/UNWomenAsia and Instagram.com/unwomenasia

More information about the winning artists and their work can be found here. 

Original article published on UNWomen Asia and the Pacific.