Organon and Partners strengthen commitment to women’s health and gender equity in Thailand

Organon, in partnership with the Kenan Foundation Asia, King Prajadhipok's Institute, the US Embassy Bangkok, the Department of Health, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, reaffirmed their dedication to promoting A Shared Commitment for Women's Health and Gender Equity in an International Women’s Day ceremony on March 8, 2024. This partnership has the power to translate policy into action, fostering substantial transformation and empowerment in Thailand in 2024 and beyond.

Globally, millions of women lack essential healthcare services, particularly in reproductive and maternal care, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. Last year's APEC Health Week Working Group meeting addressed challenges like declining birth rates and unplanned pregnancies affecting 17 out of 21 APEC economies.

This year's ongoing partnership continues this focus, aiming to tackle evolving health priorities for women, crucial for Thailand's economy and social structure. These issues not only impact population dynamics but also have long-term implications for the economy and workforce in Thailand. Overcoming these challenges requires a supportive social ecosystem that promotes smart family planning and collaboration from all sectors.

Dr Bunyarit Sukrat, Director of Bureau of Reproductive Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand called for cooperation among the public, private, and civil society sectors. Although deeming legislative measures and financial mechanisms as powerful tools for promoting reproductive health, Dr. Bunyarit acknowledged their limitations in promoting quality births. He noted the complexities of altering gender roles within families and its correlation with the total fertility rate (TFR) in Thailand and other Asian countries, emphasizing the imperative for collaborative efforts to navigate these challenges. 

Organon’s "Her Plan is Her Power" global initiative drives community-led responses and collective action to reduce unplanned pregnancies, empowering women and girls to plan their futures. 

Within the framework of “Her Plan is Her Power”, Organon has awarded a grant to the Kenan Foundation Asia to launch "Smart Family Life Planning in Action" with a focus on empowering vulnerable women in Thailand. The project targets female factory and migrant workers in Rayong and Samut Prakan, enhancing their knowledge and skills while fostering an ecosystem conducive to their engagement in smart family life planning. Moreover, it contributes to national-level policy transformations to promote smart families.