14 July 2014 – Philippine Ambassador to Thailand Jocelyn Batoon-Garcia highlighted Philippine and ASEAN initiatives on women empowerment in a speech she delivered before members of the National Council of Women of Thailand on the occasion of International Women’s Day 2014 on June 27 at the Dusit Thani Hotel, Bangkok.

The event was jointly organized by The National Council of Women of Thailand under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Queen and the Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.

More than 400 guests attended the event. With Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali presiding, the program opened with a message expressing the importance of enhancing the knowledge of women on their rights and of providing opportunities for capacity-building. Eighty (80) guests, mostly organizers, speakers and individuals who have made significant contributions towards the development and empowerment of women, received tokens bearing the personal seal of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsawali.

Dr. Mechai Viravaidya, a former senator and well-known advocate of population control and a 1994 awardee of the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service, delivered keynote remarks on “The Thai Women’s Educational Revolution.” Two other speakers, namely, Mrs. Savitri Suwansathit from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security and Mrs. Ravadee Prasertcharoensuk of the Sustainable Development Foundation, spoke on “Women’s Roles in Sustainable Development” and “Women and the Environment,” respectively.

During the event, there was also a cultural presentation of various ASEAN costumes, dances and music. The music used for the Philippine dance was Bahay Kubo. END