On 18 October 2013, the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) co-hosted a high-level panel discussion on femicide, entitled “Taking Action against the Gender-related Killings of Women and Girls”.
Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol moderated the event and opening remarks were given by
Mrs. Ban Soon-taek, wife of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. The panellists were:
- Mr. Gerhard Doujak, Head of the Department for Human Rights and Minority Issues, Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, Austria;
- Mr. Ivan Šimonović, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights;
- John Hendra, Assistant Secretary-General, Deputy Executive Director for Policy and Programme UN Women;
- Representative of H.E. Ms. Maria Cristina Perceval, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN.
The panel discussion drew attention to the landmark Resolution adopted by the Third Committee on the same day, which will be adopted by the General Assembly in December 2013. The Resolution requires Member States to take action on the prevention of violence against women, and more specifically, the gender-related killing of women and girls.
The panelists explained why the Resolution is so important, noting that it puts gender-based violence (including femicide) in a broader framework of discrimination and marginalization of women, and the importance of ending impunity for the perpetrators of these crimes. The panel also discussed effective programmes to stop femicide, including improved methods of investigation, prosecution, and punishment of the perpetrators, awareness raising, and the introduction of new legislation. Attention was also drawn to the need for further research on the root causes of killing babies, girls and women.
Participants noted Thailand’s instrumental role in pushing the Resolution through the requisite levels of the United Nations.
The event was co-organised by the Permanent Missions of Thailand, Argentina and Austria, the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) Vienna, and the TIJ. The event attracted high-level attendees, including Member State representatives, UN Agencies, NGOs and civil society.
For further information please contact melanie.o@tijthailand.org
