Give all women an opportunity to improve their lives

International Women’s Day serves as an annual event to celebrate the progress made in promoting the role of women and their right to participate in social, economic and political development.
Long before the terms “feminism” and “women’s empowerment” became buzzwords, women played a vital role in contributing to changes to better global society. In spite of the obvious gender inequality in days gone by, our mothers, grandmothers and their predecessors managed to build the women’s empowerment movement and inspire later generations to rise to the challenges of working for both family and equality. For instance, when women have a say in the management of household income, they are likely to spend a good proportion of that money for the education of their children, to help them realise their full potential.
Behind the front line of every battle, there are always wives and mothers to boost morale and support for  those who risk their lives for a good cause for their communities. The ongoing “Arab Spring” in the Middle East would not have been successful without the contribution of women, in various individual roles. In spite of the gender inequality in their communities, these women took the chance to become agents for change. Some simply supported their men while others took leadership roles by themselves. Such commitment should be cherished and promoted to ensure women’s full participation in efforts to improve society. This also shows that the most effective force to empower women must come from within.
There is no excuse for women to shy away from such challenges or choose to be victimised by circumstances. Women are blessed with the role of motherhood, and in that sense they should feel a special sense of dignity, power and wisdom that can be used to define their own destiny.
Unfortunately, what we have seen in Thai society recently is an attempt to use the gender issue as an excuse for inability or failure. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s supporters often cite her femininity to enable her to avoid critical responsibility or seek public sympathy. For example, Yingluck let Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung take charge of political issues and let Justice Minister Pracha Promnok take the flak for the government’s failure to manage the flood crisis last year. Yingluck chose to sit in the passenger’s seat. So far, she has been unable to prove that she is her own woman.
Yet, the government uses women to score political points. The recently approved budget of Bt7.7 billion to set up a national women’s development fund has not been devised properly. There is no clear plan to spend the money effectively to serve the purpose of empowering women – it was set up simply to fulfil an election campaign promise by the Pheu Thai Party to give Bt100 million to women in each province.
This scheme has drawn many questions from women’s groups. They raised their concerns with Prime Minister’s Office Minister Nalinee Taweesin this week, questioning whether the fund would violate the principle of equality because it will be available only to those who register with the government. The groups also called for a public hearing before any of the money is spent, in order to sound out ideas from women instead of waiting for spending instructions from politicians. Additionally, they say the fund’s management should be under the supervision of an independent committee, to ensure the money is not tainted by politics and corruption.
In fact, the establishment of the fund should be celebrated by women who claim that a lack of financial resources is an obstacle in their fight for greater equality. But the big test will be how every woman can be involved in the management of this fund, which is scheduled to be officially opened on this International Women’s Day. 
Every Thai woman should have a share in the ownership of this money. Therefore, they cannot afford to let it be squandered by politicians. Smart women must not let anyone use their names to seek wrongful profit. Women must not take the management of the fund lightly. Effective management of the fund can reshape the future of women in Thailand. Failure to use the money transparently and fairly would only be perceived as an inability on the part of women to manage financial resources.   
If the Bt7.7 billion is wasted, it will be a great shame that women in this age have failed to do justice to taxpayers’ money that is designed to serve their needs.