Thai Princess becomes Goodwill Ambassador for UN

Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand has joined the United Nations “Say No to Violence against Women” at a ceremony to mark her designation as a Goodwill Ambassador in Thailand for the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

Princess Bajrakitiyabha – a doctoral graduate in law from Cornell University and an Assistant Public Prosecutor in Thailand – handed out “Say No” cards at the recent ceremony in Bangkok, attended by ministers, senior Government officials, dignitaries and representatives from civil society.

“I am confident that, with our concerted efforts, the UNIFEM campaign… will certainly draw a huge number of signatures from the public showing the strength of Thailand’s one clear voice towards ending the violence against women,” Princess Bajrakitiyabha said.

UNIFEM invited Princess Bajrakitiyabha to be a Goodwill Ambassador in recognition of her initiative known as Kamlangjai (Inspire), which aims to empower women inmates, including pregnant inmates and their babies in correctional facilities.

The Thai Constitution has provisions to address violence against women, including domestic violence.

According to UNIFEM, at least one out of every three women around the world has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime, with the abuser usually someone known to her.