About 5 million Thai TV viewers are tuning in to a popular TV programme that addresses the issue of violence against women (VAW). The programme runs on three Wednesdays in every four, 1300 - 1400 on Channel 9. It iis produced with the support of UNIFEM by the Hotline Centre Foundation, a Thai women's NGO that works to eliminate violence against women. The programme encourages two-way communications on sensitive topics, with many viewers taking advantage of the phone-in format to provide comments or ask questions. The nine phone lines are manned by senior psychologists and social workers from hospitals and universities. Each programme has an interview about and/or an introduction to some topic, followed by panel discussion and responses to the phone-ins. Often the phone-ins continue for an hour after the programme finishes.

The Hotline Centre Foundation TV programme has covered a variety of topics related to VAW, including:

• how to promote women's status and decrease violence against women in Thailand. This was introduced by an interview with Lorraine Corner, UNIFEM Regional Programme Advisor and Khunying Supatra Masdit, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. This programme marked International Women's Day;
• the rights of Thai women under the new constitution. This started with an interview with Mr Pongthep Thepkanjana, a former judge and member of the panel that prepared the new Thai Constitution;
• marital conflict and violence. This show generated calls from listeners on topics such as why do men have minor wives, what can a young woman do to help her alcoholic parents, and how can a wife protect her bankrupt husband who is now suicidal;
• sex education, with guest speaker Doctor Nikorn Dusitsin;
• teenagers living together. This focussed on the fact that girls in this situation often did not know how to protect themselves against pregnancy and AIDS; and
• the role of the mass media in promoting or degrading women's status. Guests were Mr Boonlert Kachayutadet, a senior editor of the Matichon daily newspaper and Khun Orrasa Khunnawat, the first female to be appointed as Director of the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand (MCOT).

The Hotline TV programme organised a special campaign for the 16 days of activism in late 1999 against gender violence. Five special topics on aspects of violence against women featured high profile members of the community and government. A special segment shown on 24th of November included an interview with the Thai Prime Minister, Mr Chuan Leekpai. Hotline also produced short media spots by both the Prime Minister and Minister Khunying Supatra Masdit calling for an end to violence against women. These, carrying the UNIFEM logo, were aired on government channels 9 and 11 and also distributed to the commercial channels.

The programme is succeeding in offering both challenging views and an opportunity for individual listeners to have their stories heard. It also enables viewers to receive professional help, either during the phone-in or later through the Hotline psychological conselling service.

Dated: 15Mar2000