Advancement of Community-based Women Peace and Security (WPS) Implementation Mechanisms in Thailand: Launch of Women’s Empowerment and Learning (WE) Centres and WPS Network Meeting

UN Women Thailand and the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security have maintained a strong partnership in advancing gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the localization of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Thailand’s Southern, Northern, Northeastern, and Eastern Border Provinces. This collaboration has been realized through regular joint efforts to build the capacity of national and local authorities, as well as civil society organizations (CSOs). These capacity-building initiatives aim to equip stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to advocate for gender equality, integrate gender perspectives across various sectors, and meaningfully contribute to the implementation and advancement of the WPS agenda at the local level. As part of these efforts, and in collaboration with the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, UN Women has also introduced initiatives focused on enhancing women’s economic opportunities as a means of promoting women’s empowerment, social cohesion, and conflict prevention.  These initiatives also include gender-responsive emergency response and disaster risk reduction efforts. In addition, several women’s groups have been trained on gender-responsive emergency response and disaster risk reduction and livelihood development skills including vocational training and online marketing.  

These efforts have resulted in the establishment of community-based WPS Implementation Mechanisms in Thailand, which include the WPS Network, WPS Focal Points, and Women’s Empowerment and Learning (WE) Centres. These mechanisms serve as key drivers for the localization of the WPS agenda and are anchored in the principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and innovation.

UN Women in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has established WPS Network in three border regions including Southern Border region, Northern Border region, and Northeastern Border region. Each region has at least one WPS Focal point. UN Women is supporting the establishment of WE Centres in three border regions as follows:

Southern Border Provinces

• Two WE Centres were established in Yala province:
  • WE Centre was established in 2024 atthe Coordination Center for Children and Women (CCCW). It is the first WE Center managed by the local government (CCCW).
  • The second WE Center was launched on 13 February 2025 at Ruam Mit Road andis manage by Women’s Peace Association (WePEACE) and women representatives in communities.
• Two WE Centres were established in Pattani province:
  • The first WE Centre was established and launched at the Prince of Songkla University It is managed by the Network of Civic Women for Peace (CIVIC WOMEN), Fasia Association, and the Buddhists for Peace Network.
  • The second WE Center was established and located is mainly manage by Ban Yuyo Village, Sabarang Subdistrict. It is manged by the Widow women groups in the community and supervised by the Civic Women for Peace (CIVIC WOMEN).

Northern Border Provinces

• One WE Centre was officially launched on 21 February 2025 in Chiang Khong, Chiang Rai province, managed by Chiang Khong Women Council in consultation with Center for Girls Foundation (CFGF)

Northeastern Border Provinces

• One WE Center established and launch on 4 March 2025 at Sala Loi Community in Surin province and managed by Salaloi Community Committee and supervised by NET Foundation.

UN Women will also establish Women’s Empowerment and Learning (WE) Centres in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai on 1 and 2 July 2025, respectively. These centres will serve as hubs for advancing gender equality, empowering women, and promoting leadership in conflict prevention, particularly for the diverse ethnic minority groups in the Northern Border Provinces. In conjunction with this, UN Women will host the first National WPS Network Meeting on 3-4 July 2025 in Chiang Rai. This meeting will bring together key WPS Network and stakeholders from both local and national levels to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and explore ways to further localize the WPS agenda.

IV. OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Advancement of Community-based Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Implementation Mechanisms through the launch of Women’s Empowerment and Learning (WE) Centres in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and the organization of the first National WPS Network Meeting in Chiang Rai are as follows:

• Launch Women’s Empowerment and Learning (WE) Centres in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai to serve as hubs for advancing gender equality, empowering women, and promoting leadership in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
• Facilitate the first National WPS Network Meeting in Chiang Rai, bringing together WPS Networks from border provinces to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and discuss ways to further localize the WPS agenda.
• Enhance the capacity of local women’s groups, CSOs, and WPS Networks by providing opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and skills development to better address WPS-related challenges at the community level.
• Promote collaboration and coordination among local and national stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and women’s groups, to improve the effectiveness of WPS implementation across regions.
• Provide a platform for cross-regional learning and sharing of experiences to strengthen the collective impact of WPS initiatives and encourage sustainable, community-driven solutions to peace and security challenges.
• Support the integration of gender-responsive policies into local development and peacebuilding initiatives by fostering dialogue and collaboration between the WPS Network and local government bodies.