Feature story

International Women's Day: Ending Impunity for Violence Against Women

08 March 2007

During a visit to Bangkok, Thailand, UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot met with the Prime Minister of Thailand and celebrated the International Women’s Day with the Executive Secretary of United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and with Ms. Joana Merlin-Scholtes, the United Nations Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand.

Dr Piot also released a statement stressing the importance of addressing gender inequality and the feminization of the AIDS epidemics. “Women, inside and outside the home, must have the economic, social and political power to stand up for their rights and protect themselves and their families from violence and disease.” He also stated that “to stop the feminization of the epidemic, as well as the epidemic itself, we have to initiate legal but also social, cultural and economic changes to challenge some of the most pervasive social patterns and gender norms that continue to fuel the AIDS epidemic.”

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UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr.Peter Piot during his meeting with General Surayud Chulanont, Prime Minister of Thailand at the Government House (Thai koo Fah building). 8 March 2007


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UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr. Peter Piot talks to Ms. Joana Merlin-Scholtes, UN Resident Coordinator Thailand at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand during the International Women's Day, 8 March 2007


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From L to R: Ms. Joana Merlin-Scholtes, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Thailand, Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director UNAIDS and Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary UNESCAP during the International Women's Day 2007 held at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. 8 March 2007.


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From L to R: Dr. Peter Piot, Executive Director UNAIDS, Ms. Joana Merlin-Scholtes, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Thailand, Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary UNESCAP, Ms. Jean D'Cunha, Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM (East and Southeast Asia) and Ms. Thelma Kay, Director of the Division of Emerging Social Issues, UNESCAP during the opening session of events for the International Women's Day. United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. 8 March 2007


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Mr. Kim Hak-Su, UN Under Secretary General and Executive Secretary UNESCAP during his opening statement for the International Women's Day 2007, at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. 8 March 2007


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UNAIDS Executive Director, Dr. Peter Piot during his intervention for the International Women's Day 2007, at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand. 8 March 2007


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Ms. Thelma Kay, Director of the Division of Emerging Social Issues, UNESCAP during the International Women's Day 2007 event held at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand on 8 March 2007


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Ms. Jean D'Cunha, Regional Programme Director of UNIFEM (East and Southeast Asia) during the ceremony held at the United Nations Conference Centre, Bangkok, Thailand for the International Women's Day 2007. 8 March 2007.


All photo credit at United Nations Conference Centre: Daniel Tshin


Links:
Read UNAIDS Executive Director's statement - Addressing gender and AIDS: a compulsory requirement