UNFPA and Partners Host a Charity Art Auction
UNFPA and Partners Host a Charity Art Auction to Support Comprehensive Sexuality Education, Empowering Thai Youth and Preventing Adolescent Pregnancy.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Thailand, in collaboration with the One Love Foundation and the Thai Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing Association, organizes a Charity Art Auction for Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) at Avani Ratchada Hotel, Bangkok. The event takes place in the evening during the Lifestyle Medicine and Wellbeing International Conference 2025 (LMW2025). The charity auction brought together art collectors, art enthusiasts, and conference participants to bid on paintings and sculptures created by national artists, senior artists, and emerging talents—all in a warm and engaging atmosphere.
This charity art auction aims to raise funds to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) curriculum through I Design Box, UNFPA’s 2025 edition of the youth empowerment manual for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocates. The proceeds will help expand and sustain CSE efforts nationwide. The event also seeks to raise public awareness about adolescent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), issues that continue to affect young people’s health and futures. It emphasizes the vital collaboration between global and national organizations working together to address these challenges. This initiative is part of UNFPA Thailand’s ongoing mission with its partners to promote inclusive population development for all genders, ages, and groups—especially by advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and family planning, as well as supporting progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality), which includes ending gender-based violence and empowering women and girls in Thailand.
Dr. Yongyuth Mayalarp, Board Member of One Love Foundation and President of TLWA, said, “Access to accurate knowledge, proper care, and the right guidance can truly transform young lives. This initiative is not only about education—it is about empowering young people to shape their own futures while helping to prevent the rising issue of adolescent pregnancy in society. We believe that comprehensive sexuality education enables young people to better understand themselves and others, fostering responsibility, respect, and essential life skills for their growth into capable and confident adults. The I-Design Box represents a vital step toward making this form of learning a tangible reality in every school, community, and province across Thailand.”
Ms. Siriluck Chiengwong, Head of Office UNFPA Thailand, highlighted that while Thailand’s adolescent pregnancy rate has declined since the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention and Solution Act B.E. 2559 (2016), a worrying rise in pregnancies among girls aged 10–14 persists. The Act successfully reduced the birth rate among 15–19-year-olds from 53.8 per 1,000 in 2012 to 21 per 1,000 in 2023. However, the rate for 10–14-year-olds has increased to 0.93 per 1,000 in 2024, signaling an urgent need for targeted interventions. The I Design initiative aims to address this gap by educating young people on sexual and reproductive health, supporting Thailand’s goal to lower the 15–19 rate to below 15 per 1,000 by 2027 and to reverse the rising trend among the youngest group.
Ms. Siriluck adds that UNFPA’s work in Thailand is guided by a life-cycle approach, which emphasizes development across all life stages. Using statistical data, evidence-based research, innovation, and technology, UNFPA works with partners at all levels to reach goals for adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights by promoting and applying the adolescent pregnancy prevention law. Moreover, UNFPA has developed a comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) curriculum for both in-school and out-of-school youth to equip them with accurate information and the ability to make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures.
“Access to sexuality education is a fundamental human right. It is a powerful tool that enables young people to take care of their health, live with dignity, and make informed choices. The CSE curriculum jointly developed by UNFPA and its partners aims to strengthen school-based programs and engage the public, ensuring that young people have access to scientifically accurate and age-appropriate health information. Investing in comprehensive sexuality education is essential to protect, empower, and give young people the freedom to choose their paths. The proceeds from today’s charity art auction will play a crucial role in expanding and sustaining CSE through the I-Design Box, reaching more young people across Thailand,” notes Ms. Siriluck.
Ms. Metinee Kingpayome, presenter of UNFPA Thailand’s Her Awards 2024 project, says that one of the most innovative and effective learning tools for CSE is the I Design Box, UNFPA’s 2025 edition of the youth empowerment manual for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocates, developed specifically for the Thai context while maintaining fundamental principles. The manual trains young people to understand gender and sexuality based on human rights, recognize their legal rights, and embrace equality and responsibility, and serves as a strategy tool for sustainably preventing adolescent pregnancy.
Reflecting on the event, Ms. Metinee shares that the artworks presented at the auction are deeply meaningful—reflecting themes of nature, environment, and people at different stages of life. Each piece is not only beautiful but also carries a profound story, often highlighting social and environmental issues and human struggles in a rapidly changing world.
“As someone who works in the field of art, I believe art and society are inseparable. We draw inspiration from society to create art. And today, art is giving back to society, allowing art lovers to contribute to the expansion of the I-Design Box project so it can reach as far as possible. Through this effort, we hope to empower young people with knowledge, understanding, and confidence to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures and to strengthen their role as agents of change in building a society that respects everyone’s rights and choices equally,” says Ms. Metinee.
We invite everyone to join forces in empowering young people, and preventing teenage pregnancy by becoming a partner for change with UNFPA Thailand. Together, we can expand the reach of the I-Design Box to young people across the country, creating opportunities and promoting equality for all.
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