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Another Significant Milestone: SHero Thailand at the United Nations CSW70 in New York

  • 28 March 2026
On 13 March 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA, within the framework of the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), a side event was convened under the theme: “Justice for Her: Overcoming Challenges and Transforming the Justice System into a Safe Space for Victims in Gender-Based Violence Cases.”
This event was organised through a collaboration between the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development (Ministry of Social Development and Human Security), the Nitivajra Institute (Office of the Attorney General), the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), and the SHero Thailand Foundation.
During the session, Ms Busayapa Srisompong, Founder and Director of SHero Thailand, participated as an expert speaker. She presented a Victim-Centred Approach to accessing justice, aimed at mitigating secondary victimisation—the re-traumatisation that survivors often encounter within legal proceedings. Her contribution reflected a global commitment to protecting women’s rights.



The involvement of SHero Thailand in co-organising this event not only amplifies the voices of survivors on an international stage but also marks a pivotal moment for Thailand. It confirms the nation’s current prioritisation of legal and judicial reforms that uphold the rights, welfare, and safety of survivors, rooted firmly in a Survivor-Centred Approach.
This movement is particularly timely as Thailand deliberates on the draft amendment to the Domestic Violence Victim Protection Act. Historically, this legislation has been grounded in a “Family-Centric” ideology, which often fails to align with the actual needs and safety of survivors.
This advocacy serves as a critical catalyst for a structural transition towards a system that truly respects survivor rights. Furthermore, these efforts align with the CEDAW Concluding Observations, which emphasise the urgent need to:
(1) Strengthen protection mechanisms.
(2) Enhance access to justice.
(3) Dismantle the structural barriers faced by women.
The Agreed Conclusions of CSW70 explicitly reiterate that access to justice for women and girls requires structural reform across laws, policies, and practices. The goal is a justice system that is “inclusive, equitable, and people-centred.” It calls upon States to take urgent action to: eliminate discriminatory laws and practices, address structural obstacles hindering women’s access to justice, establish “Victim- and Survivor-Centred Pathways” that are safe and accessible, and foster integrated cooperation between the police, prosecutors, courts, social services, and legal aid providers.
In the Thai context, these conclusions underscore that reforming domestic violence laws is not merely an “option” but an obligation under international standards. This requires shifting the systemic mindset away from prioritising family reconciliation at the expense of individual safety.
SHero Thailand wishes to express its gratitude to the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development, the Nitivajra Institute, and the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) for providing the platform to bring the voices of survivors to this international forum. We remain steadfast in our belief that the justice system must be a safe space, not an additional hurdle for those who have suffered. SHero Thailand will continue to advocate for survivor-centred reform at both national and international levels with unwavering commitment.
Reference Documents:
CSW70 Agreed Conclusions: https://bit.ly/4rVX6w6
CEDAW Concluding observations on the eighth periodic report of Thailand: https://docs.un.org/en/CEDAW/C/THA/CO/8

Note on terminology: In this event, the term “victim” is used in line with legal terminology commonly applied in criminal justice systems and international legal frameworks. In SHero’s work, we more often use the term “survivor” to recognize dignity, agency, and resilience. Both terms are used respectfully and in good faith.