Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the government to support efforts to empower women and promote gender equality in the deep South.
Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said yesterday that Gen Prayut was urging women to participate in the region's social development efforts.
Ms Rachada is also playing a role in efforts to solve problems in the southern border provinces by improving women's participation in society.
She said her team last week visited various communities and met local leaders, academics and social network groups in Pattani, Songkhla, Narathiwat and Yala to collect opinions about the role of women in local society.
The team found some women are already involved in social development efforts in their communities, but only a few have been appointed as leaders or involved in making decisions.
The Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre (SBPAC) recently finished a six-year strategic plan aimed at promoting the role of women in the southern border provinces, she said.
The plan included input from 64 organisations, groups and networks involved in the promotion of women's participation and rights.
Ms Rachada said the plan would be proposed to a committee on the strategic development of the southern region, before heading to the cabinet.
Meanwhile, the Women's Affairs and Family Development Department of Social Development and Human Security Ministry says it is ready to promote the role of women and gender equality.
The department will hold a workshop today and tomorrow in Pattani to discuss women's networks in southern provinces.
The aim is to create awareness of their rights and provide channels through which they can seek help. There will also be sessions to educate women on how to draft a project proposal and evaluation, and write a budget report.