Skip to main content

Child Rights

Our strategic goal

All children are empowered and able to exercise their civil rights and freedoms safely, without discrimination and fear of reprisals.

Child rights in Thailand

Over the last 2 years, the political context in Thailand has been changing in an unprecedented fashion. Children and youth have been openly and en-masse engaging in forums and online and public arenas, including pro-democracy street protests, and demanding their rights.

In response to the crack-down on child and youth protests and rights movements, international and national organizations called for the government to respect children’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, including in peaceful protest, that is enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), (ratified by Thailand in 1992.

Children of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, questioning (LGBTIQ+) children, also face distinct barriers in realising their rights. Although Thailand is perceived to be a relatively open country in terms of sexual and gender diversity, LGBTIQ+ children still face discrimination and violence, particularly at school and healthcare settings. SOGIE-based bullying is still prevalent, without safe reporting mechanisms for LGBTIQ+ students. Without legal gender recognition, transgender children cannot access gender-affirming healthcare nor be recognised for their gender in legal documents and processes. With layers of challenges, LGBTIQ+ children and youth are likely to have adverse mental health outcomes, compared to their peers

What we do

Save the Children is the world’s first and leading independent organization devoted to defending children’s rights – so they are empowered to reach their potential.

We believe that all children – regardless of their Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) - should be supported, empowered and protected to express their civic rights without fear of reprisal or discrimination. We work directly with local civil society partners to protect children and strengthen local child rights networks.

 In 2020-21, we:

  • SCT and our youth and civil society partner organisations released the first report on a UN human rights monitoring process focused on children and youth with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Expression and Sexual Characteristics (SOGIESC) . 84 young people worked with SCT to create the recommendations for the report, and 2 youth and 1 child representative spoke at meetings in Geneva. The Royal Thai Government subsequently received 12 recommendations on SOGIESC. Specifically, Thailand is committed to building capacity of education staff and reviewing the curriculum to promote SOGIESC inclusion in education.
  • Provided small grants to 60 youth in 15 communities in Yala, Narathiwat and Pattani Provinces to promote better child protection and social cohesion in their communities.

In 2022, Save the Children will work with local CSOs to advocate for improved and safe civic spaces for children and young people to share their voices and participate in decisions that impact their lives.

"This project allowed me to have more confidence in LGBTQI+ issues. I want society to know that there are LGBTQI+ people everywhere, and it’s not weird or unusual. It is normal. If you can accept this and promote your children's need for development and self-confidence, they will have a happy life in the future.”

- Participant of a SCT Child Safe Space Project