Thai Bhikkhuni, International Treaties, and Rights of Minorities - Prof. Dr. Manuel Litalien - Universität Hamburg
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Thai Bhikkhuni, International Treaties, and Rights of Minorities
This presentation examines the commitments of Southeast Asian governments, with a focus on
Thailand, to gender equality. It looks at regional, and international treaties signed for the promotion
of equal gender rights, and then contrasts these formally ratified agreements with the status of
Buddhist nuns (Bhikkhuni) in Thailand, and the region. The presentation asks whether the behaviour
of the Bhikkhu align with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979. Despite notable reservations made by some countries, the
majority of Southeast Asian nations nevertheless ratified the Convention.
This study considers the role of the Thai Bhikkhuni and the pledge to gender equality, in light of these
reservations to CEDAW. The argument suggests that a distinction between the role of women in the
public, and the religious spheres are conducive to the creation of an inequality regime (Acker 2009).
If political systems across the region advocates for equality and freedoms for all, one may ask how
patriarchal religious hierarchy is able to marginalize its female counterpart and at time conflict with
the intention of political leaders.