On March 17, at the margins of the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), alongside the Permanent Missions of Thailand, Canada, and Colombia to the UN, as well as Women Beyond Walls, Penal Reform International, Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just, and Inclusive Societies, and Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), hosted a critical side event: Promising Practices to Reduce the Harmful Impact of Imprisonment on Women: A Key Step Forward in Implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Marking 15 years of the Bangkok Rules, this discussion focused on the urgent need to reduce the harmful effects of imprisonment on women, particularly its deep ties to poverty and systemic inequality. TIJ shared insights from our regional consultations on advancing the implementation of the Bangkok Rules highlighting key takeaways including:
- Rethinking the use of prison—criminal justice systems must adopt alternatives to incarceration, especially for minor offenses linked to poverty.
- Centering lived experiences—women directly affected by imprisonment must have a voice in shaping policies.
- Empowering women professionals—strengthening gender-responsive leadership in the justice sector is essential.
- Investing in solutions—sustainable change requires long-term commitment and strategic partnerships to implement the Bangkok Rules effectively.
During the event:
- Penal Reform International & Women Beyond Walls launched a new report highlighting the legal and systemic failures that criminalize women for poverty-related offenses such as petty theft, homelessness, and begging.
- UN Women emphasized the intersection of gender-based violence and imprisonment, underscoring the necessity of trauma-informed rehabilitation programs.
- OHCHR reiterated the poverty-incarceration cycle, with the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights stressing that criminalizing poverty is not only ineffective—it violates fundamental human rights.
The discussion reaffirmed a collective commitment to justice reform that prioritizes dignity, human rights, and gender-sensitive approaches. As we reflect on 15 years of the Bangkok Rules, the path forward demands concrete action, stronger collaboration, and sustained investment to create fairer, more equitable justice systems.
