
Empowering and Educating Vulnerable Girls in Thailand: The Pink Book!
By: Minin of ISB
SDGs: Good health and well being, Quality education, Gender equality
Through researching and hearing about girl-related issues such as teenage pregnancies, human trafficking, and sexual harassment, I realized that all girls could easily fall victim to these situations. This includes me, however, I’m fortunate enough to be educated on these specific subjects which ensures my safety. On the other hand, many less fortunate girls may have to go through traumatic, life-altering experiences due to a lack of education in these specific areas. I recognize that essential conversations about girl-related topics fell short between female guardian figures and young girls. This may be because in Thailand, like many Asian countries, many consider it a taboo to discuss these topics with the younger generation. However, this lack of conversation makes it more dangerous for girls to navigate safely through life and less likely for boys to help advocate for female equality.
This made me decide to create a digital platform (Facebook and Instagram page) to educate girls about prevailing issues. Keeping in mind that it would be difficult to spread my message to underprivileged Thai girls - who need this information the most - I decided to write a book. All girls should have the opportunity to thrive in their chosen career path and the right to feeling safe. “The Pink Book” compiles all vital information a girl should know, from moral stories that teach lifelong lessons to beauty and relationship advice they may need in their lifetime. After the creation of my book, I distributed my books, hosted open discussions, and taught empowerment and self-care lessons to girls in less privileged communities, detention centers, and public schools across multiple provinces.
One of my favorite visits was going to Baan Pranee - a girls detention center. Here, the girls have committed crimes such as buying and selling drugs, human trafficking of themselves and their friends, and even murdering - this is appalling. P’Kung, one of the workers here, says this is due to a cycle initiated by their parents as they were also in rehabilitation centers leading the children to not have role models and sufficient parental support.In this session, I shared stories I thought were appropriate including the 20 Baht Bill Story, The Butterfly in a Cocoon, A Big Sister's Guide to Relationships, and a Gratitude Journal. Through these stories, I wanted to empower the girls and show them their self-worth, the importance of going through obstacles, the need to focus on themselves instead of relationships, and the importance of being grateful. Throughout my talk, the girls were sweet and seemed engaged with the things shared. I think it resonated with them, especially because something common among the girls was depression. They were also lively, funny, and seemingly confident as well! In addition, it was obvious that they were grateful for all the things donated and all knowledge shared. At first, I was nervous that the girls wouldn't like the book or think it was interesting but they seemed interested in the contents, looking through the book immediately after I handed it out. After the talk, I received feedback regarding my book and the lesson from the girls and it was all positive.
Since I’ve done most of my project outside of school, I wanted to start giving back to the ISB community because they’ve given me so much! I started off with sharing my project to a few of my teachers, who introduced me to more ISB staff including MS health teachers, Mr. A (our CAS advisor) and librarians. They have all been helpful and supportive in offering me new opportunities and guidance, which I am extremely grateful for! Furthermore, I have just received approval for a PTA grant to provide more of my books to the MS health classes as the health teacher really liked it. I am also excited to go talk in MS health classes about women-related issues and the contents of my book soon!
Support my project below!
This made me decide to create a digital platform (Facebook and Instagram page) to educate girls about prevailing issues. Keeping in mind that it would be difficult to spread my message to underprivileged Thai girls - who need this information the most - I decided to write a book. All girls should have the opportunity to thrive in their chosen career path and the right to feeling safe. “The Pink Book” compiles all vital information a girl should know, from moral stories that teach lifelong lessons to beauty and relationship advice they may need in their lifetime. After the creation of my book, I distributed my books, hosted open discussions, and taught empowerment and self-care lessons to girls in less privileged communities, detention centers, and public schools across multiple provinces.
One of my favorite visits was going to Baan Pranee - a girls detention center. Here, the girls have committed crimes such as buying and selling drugs, human trafficking of themselves and their friends, and even murdering - this is appalling. P’Kung, one of the workers here, says this is due to a cycle initiated by their parents as they were also in rehabilitation centers leading the children to not have role models and sufficient parental support.In this session, I shared stories I thought were appropriate including the 20 Baht Bill Story, The Butterfly in a Cocoon, A Big Sister's Guide to Relationships, and a Gratitude Journal. Through these stories, I wanted to empower the girls and show them their self-worth, the importance of going through obstacles, the need to focus on themselves instead of relationships, and the importance of being grateful. Throughout my talk, the girls were sweet and seemed engaged with the things shared. I think it resonated with them, especially because something common among the girls was depression. They were also lively, funny, and seemingly confident as well! In addition, it was obvious that they were grateful for all the things donated and all knowledge shared. At first, I was nervous that the girls wouldn't like the book or think it was interesting but they seemed interested in the contents, looking through the book immediately after I handed it out. After the talk, I received feedback regarding my book and the lesson from the girls and it was all positive.
Since I’ve done most of my project outside of school, I wanted to start giving back to the ISB community because they’ve given me so much! I started off with sharing my project to a few of my teachers, who introduced me to more ISB staff including MS health teachers, Mr. A (our CAS advisor) and librarians. They have all been helpful and supportive in offering me new opportunities and guidance, which I am extremely grateful for! Furthermore, I have just received approval for a PTA grant to provide more of my books to the MS health classes as the health teacher really liked it. I am also excited to go talk in MS health classes about women-related issues and the contents of my book soon!
Support my project below!