Prior to the Cabinet meeting, the representatives submitted an eight-point policy recommendation to the PM. They included a call for measures to protect women against domestic violence, sexual harassment and human trafficking; a call for measures to boost access to education for girls and young women; and a call for measures to promote women’s participation in politics.

Prayut said his government tried to solve problems and had probably achieved more than previous governments. “But everything must go step by step and [results] need some time to materialise. We must walk together,” he said, as he accepted the recommendations for consideration.

Meanwhile, Yingluck Shinawatra, Thailand’s first female prime minister, posted a note on her Facebook page to mark the day, which this year has the gender equality theme “Planet 50-50 by 2030: Step It Up for Gender Equality”, which many believed will lead to sustainable development.

“On this occasion, I would like to send encouragement to all women in the world… Thai society also provides a considerable amount of opportunities for women compared to other countries. I hope so much that the country’s new constitution will respect and protect human dignity of all genders and allow everyone to be equal partners in the country’s sustainable development,” she wrote.

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At the same time, Education Minister General Dapong Ratanasuwan led another group to present to Prayut with the “Echo English” mobile phone application for people who want to learn basic English skills.

Prayut then urged Thais to dare to speak English and develop themselves via easy ways such as watching English-speaking movies, reading books in English and speaking English frequently. He also praised the application invention as a sign of the ministry’s striving for improvement.