An Evaluation of Thailand’s Women Development Plan Under the 10th Economic and Social Development Plan for 2007-2011 Focus on Policy Strategy in Fostering Women’s Economic Participation

  Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1. Statement and Significance of problems The Progress Report on Women’s Development Plan (2006) included in the 9th National Economic and Social Development Plan or NESDP (2002-2006) indicated that Thai women worked side by side with men in the country’s economic development specifically in nurturing the family unit to contribute significantly in economic development (p.2). In particular, they play crucial roles in caring for the young and elderly members of the family. However, enforcing gender equality in the employment sector has been found to be ineffective in the implementation of ESDP.