Bangkok (AsiaNews) – The promotion of the dignity of women in Thailand, an end to violence and guarantees of better living conditions in jail, particularly access to medical care for pregnant prisoners. They are only some of the numerous campaigns promoted by 30 year-old Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol - better known as Princess Pa – a graduate in law, who has spent years denouncing the situation of women in the country.
Prince Pa is a UN ambassador for an organisation dedicated to the development of the women (Unifem) and has collected more than 3 million signatures in favour of the campaign “We say NO to violence against the women”. Her engagement in favour of the women’s rights dates back to university: during a visit to a jail, in 2001, a prisoner threw herself on the princess’ feet pleading for help. Princess Pa, struck by the woman’s desperation, promised “to return as soon as University is completed”. Another three prison visits by the first granddaughter of King Bhumibol follow – one in 2006 and two in 2007 – to the female penitentiary of Bangkok.
In 2006 the Kamlangjai project was born, introducing a series of initiatives to help women imprisoned in the capital’s jails and in the various provincial prisons throughout the Country. These include free visits to the optician, medical check ups, providing changes of underwear, medical assistance for pregnant women and preparation courses for delivery. “The babies of the inmates are innocent and the inmates who are pregnant should receive intimate care” asserts Princess Pa. Rattana, a prisoner is serving a sentence which expires in 2013, expresses “deep gratefulness” for the “good will demonstrated by her Royal Highness” and she hopes that “she will continue to follow the condition of the prisoners, “to deliver assistance and moral support”.
