Family Power for Safe Digital Spaces in Bangkok

A Safe Journey with Her to End Digital Violence: Families unite for safer digital spaces in Bangkok

           Bangkok, Thailand — Hundreds of Thai and international families, students and supporters gathered today in Benjakitti Park and at the Thai–Belgian Bridge for “A Safe Journey With Her to End Digital Violence”, a family ride and picnic organised as part of the UNiTE 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence under the 2025 focus “Ending Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.”

           The event was organised by the Embassy of Belgium, together with the Embassies of Luxembourg and the Netherlands, in partnership with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS), UN Women and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

           The programme opened with remarks by H.E. Mr Michel Parys, Ambassador of Belgium, followed by welcomes from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, UN Women on behalf of the United Nations in Thailand. The Ambassador of Belgium and the Governor of Bangkok cut the ribbon, and the Benelux Ambassadors led the ride from Benjakitti Park over the Green Bridge and via Lumpini Park to the Thai–Belgian Bridge, symbolising Thai–Belgian friendship and joint action for safe public spaces. Families returned for a picnic beside the Benjakitti Forest Park Museum, a Children’s Play Street, bike parcours, digital-safety games, and an Emoji Selfie and Pledge Wall.

           The event built directly on the recommendations of the academic seminar “A Safe Journey With Her: Ending Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”, held at the Belgian Residence on 27 November.

           “From the Thai–Belgian Bridge to the Children’s Play Street, Belgium and Thailand have joined hands to create safe spaces offline that reinforce safer behaviour online. We are proud to support families so that women and girls can thrive both offline and online,” said H.E. Mr Michel Parys, Ambassador of Belgium to Thailand.

Transforming principles into practice

           Digital violence is real-world violence. Families, schools, platforms and policymakers all play a critical role in preventing and responding to online abuse. Safe, inclusive public spaces strengthen community resilience and reinforce safer behaviour online. Families today made simple but powerful pledges, such as pausing before posting, helping friends report abuse and practising kindness online.

           Those most targeted often include women and girls, LGBTQI+ persons, young people, older persons, and individuals in marginalised communities — reminding us that digital safety must protect everyone, across all ages and identities.

           “Community engagement is essential for prevention. When families learn simple steps towards digital safety together, online spaces become safer for everyone,” said Christine Arab, Regional Director, UN Women Asia and the Pacific.

           The Children’s Play Street, inspired by Belgium’s Speelstraat model, invited children and families to recognise positive and harmful online behaviour using good and bad emoji cards, then move between game stations to practise how to respond to bullying, grooming and scams, and how to report abuse.

           At the Emoji Selfie and Pledge Wall, families chose a positive emoticon, made simple pledges such as pausing before posting or supporting friends who experience online violence, took a selfie and added it to the wall under the message #NoExcuse for Online Abuse.

           By engaging children, teenagers, parents and caregivers of all backgrounds, the activities promoted intergenerational learning and reinforced the idea that digital respect and safety begin within families and communities.

           “Simple daily actions matter. Today’s ride, play street and picnic show how families can build kindness, safety and solidarity online,” said Cindy Sirinya Bishop, UN Women Regional Goodwill Ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, who spoke at the event and guided participants on the ride and making pledges.

           By linking safe public spaces offline to safer behaviour online, A Safe Journey With Her to End Digital Violence underlined that ending digital violence against women and girls requires coordinated action from governments, platforms, communities and families.

Belgium’s commitment

           From 25 November to 10 December, the Embassy of Belgium in Bangkok joins the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, in support of UN Women’s UNiTE campaign. The 2025 focus is Ending Digital Violence against all Women and Girls.

           Belgium advances a holistic response to gender-based violence, aligned with the Istanbul Convention and its National Action Plan. Internationally, Belgium supports UN Women and UNFPA and led UN Human Rights Council resolution 56/19 on technology-facilitated gender-based violence.

About the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence

           The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign running from 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, to 10 December, Human Rights Day.

           Under the global slogan #NoExcuse for Online Abuse, the 2025 focus is Ending Digital Violence against ALL Women and Girls. Online abuse continues to grow worldwide, often going unpunished, silencing women and reinforcing the norms that fuel violence offline. Women who are most visible in public life, including journalists, activists, politicians and sportswomen, are frequently among those most targeted.