A bell rang out at the start of morning trading at the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) today, International Women’s Day, to signal wide-ranging support by listed companies and others for improving women's status and opportunities in the business world.

The SET, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Thailand (SEC), the Australian Embassy, and UN Women hosted the event, Ring the Bell for ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.

In attendance were listed companies, government regulators, signatories of the business-centred Women’s Empowerment Principles established by UN Women and UN Global Compact, and representatives from private sector.

It was Thailand’s 11th annual Ring the Bell for Gender Equality event -- part of a global campaign in which more than 110 stock exchangesworldwide advocate for women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community.

“We continue to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace, striving for concrete change from all stakeholders to foster a business ecosystem in Thailand that enables everyone to reach their full potential,” said Asadej Kongsiri, President of the Stock Exchange of Thailand.  

“This, in turn, will drive diverse creativity, enhance decision-making capabilities, and serve as a fundamental pillar for sustainable organizational and economic development in the future. This commitment aligns with SET’s vision: To Make the Capital Market ‘Work’ for Everyone."

Pornanong Budsaratragoon, Secretary-General of the SEC, said: “As a capital market regulator, the SEC encourages listed companies to integrate ESG (environmental, social and governance goals) into their business operations and supply chains.

“As ofyear-end 2024, 28 per cent of all listed companies had at least 30 per cent women board members. This proportion has been steadily increasing in recent years, reflecting progress in supporting women’s leadership roles in the Thai capital market.”

Said Maria Holtsberg, Deputy Regional Director, UN Women, Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific: “Over the past three years, we have worked with more than 530 women-owned businesses and buyers to increase awareness around the opportunities presented by an inclusive approach to supply chain management, particularly through gender-responsive procurement to create more market connections.

“This is not the time to slow down. Now is the time to act together for women's rights, equality and empowerment.”

The Australian Government partners with countries in the Mekong Subregion including Thailand to tackle shared development challenges and promote inclusive economic growth by enhancing equal market opportunities for everyone, including women.

Angela Macdonald, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, said: “Gender equality benefits everyone. We know communities, countries and our region are better off when women are supported to participate equally in the economy with men.

“Australia is proud to continue working with UN Women to implement the WE RISE Together programme for another four years, collaborating with private and public sector leaders to promote gender-responsive procurement in Thailand, Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos.”

WE RISE Together tackles structural gender inequalities in the procurement market.

At today’s event, representatives from International Finance Corporation, UN Women and Thailand’s Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development hosted a discussion that emphasized the need to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable access to private and public procurement for women-owned businesses.

Another discussion explored strategies to reshape power structures and ensure that more young women and girls have opportunities to lead as well as innovate in the business sector.

More market opportunities for women lead to a more diverse supplier pool, enhancing competitiveness, innovation, efficiency and product quality, lowering prices for consumers, and forcing businesses to better serve customers by adapting to market needs and finding their competitive advantages.

For more information on the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2025 campaign in Thailand, watch a fu