Thailand: Despite an edict of 'fair' ratios of men and women candidates, no parties toe the line
Source:
The 2011 election-related organic laws require that every political party has to give due consideration to an "appropriate ratio" between and equal opportunities for men and women candidates. However, the laws do not stipulate a ratio that would be considered fair.
According to Women Reshaping Thailand (WREST), an alliance comprised of long-time and well-known women's rights activists, the five largest political parties, all of which have nominated the full quota of 125 candidates for their party lists, have failed to uphold a fair ratio of men and women candidates.
The organisation stated women accounted for less than 40% of all the five groups' party lists, and most of them had far fewer than that.
If the top 50 slots on each party's list are counted - the higher the ranking, the better the chance of being elected - the best ratio drops to a mere 25%, the group noted.
To read the complete news story please visit Bangkok Post.
The 2011 election-related organic laws require that every political party has to give due consideration to an "appropriate ratio" between and equal opportunities for men and women candidates. However, the laws do not stipulate a ratio that would be considered fair.
According to Women Reshaping Thailand (WREST), an alliance comprised of long-time and well-known women's rights activists, the five largest political parties, all of which have nominated the full quota of 125 candidates for their party lists, have failed to uphold a fair ratio of men and women candidates.
The organisation stated women accounted for less than 40% of all the five groups' party lists, and most of them had far fewer than that.
If the top 50 slots on each party's list are counted - the higher the ranking, the better the chance of being elected - the best ratio drops to a mere 25%, the group noted.
To read the complete news story please visit Bangkok Post.