THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN



Newsletter

"Our First Newsletter to Commemorate the King's 72 Years Anniversary"

Volume 1 No. 1 June – December B.E. 2542 / 1999



Chairperson's Message

On behalf of the Standing Committee of Women, WFB I am very pleased that our first "Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 1" has been issued. We intend to have it issued on the second half of the year B.E. 2543 / 2000 because the period marks the most auspicious Royal occasion of the Sixth-Cycle (72nd) Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej on December 5 B.E. 2542 / 1999 and so on.

We take this great and wonderful opportunity to extend our sincerest gratitude to the WFB Board members, the Executive Council Members, all nine Standing Committees, especially our new Committee on Women and all the members for their support and cooperation. We will report in the future Newsletters on our on-going achievements of our two-year plan. We do expect that all Committee members and members will find a forum to express their work/views/visions of great interests, values for the benefit of all Buddhists worldwide.

May the triple Gem bless you all.

Dr Sritaptim Panitpan, Associate Professor D.S.W., Chairperson



1.Introduction

By Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan Associate Professor D.S.W., Chairperson

The Standing Committee of Women was established on October 30 B.E. 2538 (1992). It is one of nine standing Committees of the World Fellowship of Buddhists: Finance; Publication, Publicity, Education, Culture & Art; Dhammadatu Activities; Humanitarian Services; Unity & Solidarity; Youth; Socio-Economic Development; Women; Buddhist Pancasila Samadanda.

Khunying Suthama Auychai (Thailand) was the first Chairwomen of the Protem Committee, elected by the Members, consisting of 7 officers and Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan (Thailand) as secretary of October 30, B.E. 2535-37 (1992-1994) at Fo Kuang Shan, Kaohiung, Taiwan. The Protem Committee had undertaken a variety of activities and programs of two years, until November 27, B.E. 2537 (1994) when Khunying Suthama Auychai had submitted her resignation from the Chairwoman to the Executive Council due to her personal reasons.

Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan had been elected as Acting Chairperson of the Committee held at the WFB nineteenth General Conference and the WFBY Ninth General Conference, at China Room, Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel Bangkok, Thailand.

At the Twentieth General Conference the WFB held from October 29 to November 2 B.E. 2541/ 1998 at the Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley, Wollongong, Australia, a new Standing Committee on Women was elected and chaired by Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan.




2. Historical Background


The Standing Committee on Women, WFB was formed on October 30 B.E. 2535 (1992) by 37 members at the 18th WFB General Conference held at Fo Kuang Shan, Kaohsiung, ROC. When the first meeting of the committee was held to formulate its policies and objectives to be used as guidelines for the implementation of concerned activities, the Meeting had adopted the following objectives:

    1. To uplift the status of women in society.
    2. To Promote the roles of women in Buddhism.
    3. To strengthen women’s roles in the WFB.
    4. To improve women’s roles to assist the WFB in achieving its objectives.



The Status Of The Committee Covering 2 Periods:

a) B.E. 2535-2537 (1992 – 1994)

  1. On October 30, 1992, a Protem Committee was elected consisting of the following officers: 1.1 Chairwomen : Khunying Suthama Auychai (Thailand) 1.2 Vice-Chariwomen : Rev. Sek Fatt Kuan (Singapore) 1.3 Vice-Chairwomen : Mrs Hung Yi Shou (Taiwan, ROC) 1.4 Secretary : Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan (Thailand) 1.5 Assistant Secretary : Mrs Sawanee Tonyoopaiboon (Thailand) 1.6 Treasurer : Ms. Kang Kuo-Chun (ROC) 1.7 Assistant Treasurer : Ms Saiyood Uthaisri (Thailand).

  2. A Committee for formulating a Constitution was made of the Chairperson, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer and the Assistant-Treasurer.

  3. Approximately US$ 1,300 was raised to be handed over to the Assistant Treasurer.

    b) B.E. 2537 (Nov. 1994) to B.E. 2541 (Nov. 2, 1998)

  1. Khunying Suthama Auychai resigned as Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Women for personal reasons.

  2. Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan had been elected as Acting Chairperson of the Committee by the Executive Council.

  3. Mrs. Kanchana Soonsawad was assigned to serve as the Secretary to replace Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan, and there would be no change for the rest of the Committee Members.

  4. Mrs Hung Yi Shou mad a pledge to donate US$ 5,000 and Mrs Kang Ko-Chun (The Treasusre) also donated US$ 4,000.

  5. Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan invited 3 advisors to assist the Committee: 5.1 Dato' Khoo Leong Hun (WFB Vice(President) 5.2 Mr. Prasong Bunchoem (WFB Vice-President) 5.3 Khunying Suthama Auychai (WFB Advisor)

  6. Sixty one Members attended the Meeting of the Committee on Friday November 25, 1994 at Imperial Queen's Park Hotel, Bangkok.

The Activities of The WFB Women Standing Committee

    Covering The Period of B.E. 2535-2537 (1992 – 1994)

    1. Three meetings were arranged in order to draft the Constitution of the Committee in B.E. 2536 (1993).

    2. 18 Copies of drafted Constitution were circulated to its members for comments and recommendations.

    3. On Magha-Puja Day, 48 cards were sent to the members in Bangkok and abroad.

    4. On Visakha-Puja Day May 24, 2537 (1994), 70 cards and Visakha Poem composed by Mrs Erika Dias were sent to its members in Bangkok and abroad.

    Covering the Period of B.E. 2538 – 2540 (1995 – 1997)

    1. A meeting was arranged to review and develop the Constitution of the Committee B.E. 2536 (1993).

    2. The Constitution was published in the record of Proceedings, 1994.

    3. On Magha-Puja Day each year, over 100 cards were sent to the members both in Bangkok and abroad, and to EXCO members.

    4. On Visakha-Puja Day each year, over 100 cards and poems were sent to the members; WFB EXCO members; the President and Vice-Presidents of WFB.

    5. On February 16, 1995, a seminar on " Roles of Thai Women in Buddhism" was held in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Her Serene Highness Poon Pismai Diskul (born on February 17, B.E. 2438 / 1895 ) with the cooperation and sponsorship of Munnithi Ong Athi-Prateep Thai (M.O.A. Thai) chaired by Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan

    6. On June 24, 1996, a conference on :"Roles of Women in Globalization" was held with a financial support of Munnithi Ong Athi-Prateep Thai Foundation charied by Dr Sritaptim Panitpan, in commemoration of Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana Krom Luang Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra's 72nd Anniversary on May 6, B.E. 2539 / 1996.

    7. Two more seminars on "The Roles of Sangha in Child and Family Development" and "The Development of the Hill-Tribe People in Thailand" in Commemoration of Her Royal Highness The Princess Mother's dedication to the Hill-Tribe women and youth.

    8.The members of the Committee have participated in the writing technical issues e.g. roles of Thai women in Globalizing economy and society; quality of life of the Thai women, family violence, and so on, to be published in WFB Journals (in Thai) and WFB Review (in English) as deemed appropriate.

    9. The Committee members have had closer cooperation and coordination with our members of various regional Centres, for example with Mrs Sarala Fernando, Ambassador, the former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand; Mrs Cressida Senayake, President All Ceylon Women's Buddhist Congress;

    9.1 Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan was assigned to be Chairperson of the Rapporteurs for the 19th General Conference (November 22-29, B.E. 2537 (1994).

    9.2 Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Dr Sritaptim Panitpan was nominated to be in charge of Chairperson of the Rapporteurs for the 20th General Conference (October 29 - November 2 B.E. 2541/1998), and other members as committee members.

    9.3 The Acting Chairperson had courtesy visits to 3 WFB Regional Centres including Nan Tien Temple, in Australia.

    9.4 The Committee had closer contact with Sri Lankan Embassy in Bangkok to exchange ideas, visions, etc. with the Ambassador concerning Buddhist women in Sri Lanka and Thailand.

    10. The Committee members have published various articles and academic papers concerning women, the elderly, children, etc. in our WFB Newsletters and WFB Review (in English), WFB Thai Journal (in Thai), and so on for promoting women and other groups' statuses.

    11. The Acting Chairperson was assigned as an Editor to publish (The WFB Report November B.E. 2537 (1994) – October, B.E. 2541 (1998), 45 pages.

    12. The Fund for Standing Committee of Women has been established to be used for carrying on programs and activities endorsed by the Meeting of the Committee.

    c) The Standing Committee on Women in B.E. 2542 – 2543 / 1999 – 2000

    At the WFB Twentieth General Conference held at Nan Tien Temple, Berkeley Road, Berkeley, Wollongong, N.S.W., Australia from October 30 to November 2 B.E.2541 (1998), a new Standing Committee was elected on November 1, B.E. 2541 (1998) at 1400 – 1600 hrs. in the First Plenary Session to implement our programs / activities according to the endorsed resolutions stated in the WFB toe-Year Plan (B.E. 2542 – 2543 / 1999 – 2000). Associate Professor Sritaptim Panitpan (Thailand) was elected as Chairperson of the Committee.

    The election of the New Committee on Women took place on the same date at 1900 – 2100 hrs. The new Committee members were elected as follows:


The current Committee Members:

1. Chairperson : Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan

2. Vice-Chairpersons : 1) Mrs Wimala Somaratne (Sri Lanka) and 2) Mrs. Hung Yi Shou (Taiwan)

3. Secretary : Mrs Kanchana Soonsawad (Thailand)

4. Assistant Secretary : Mrs Plumchit Chunhawat (Thailand)

5. Treasurer : Mrs Saiyood Uthaisri (Thailand)

6. Assistant Treasurer : Mrs Basanti Devi Bajracharya (Nepal)

Newly Appointed Positions:

Committee members were elected to fill the positions as follows:


Receptionist : Assist. Prof. Kongkaew Charoenagsorn. (Thailand)
Public Relations : Anita Svensson (Australia)
Publications : Dr. Sritaptim Panitpan
a) Newsletter : Editor In Chief (two issues per year)
b) Women’s Roles in Buddhist Activities at different Regional Centres (not more than five pages including photographs s attached to it.)

Liaison Officers of each regional centre :
1. Australia and New Zealand: Ms. Elizabeth Oski; Mrs. Anita Svensson and Mrs Nhu Hoa.
2. Nepal : Mrs. Basanti Devi Bajracharya
3. Sri Lanka : Mrs Wimala Somaratne
4.Taiwan : Mrs Hung Yi Shou
5.Thailand : Mrs Srinit Suvatipanich



Fundraising officer : Mrs Panee Wattnanpong (Thailand)

The Aims and Objectives of the Committee are as follows :

1. To uplift the status of women in society
2. To Promote the roles of women in Buddhism.
3. To strengthen women’s roles in the WFB.
4. To improve women’s roles to assist the WFB in achieving its objectives.
5. To ensure equal opportunity of education for children.

On-going Activities : Considering SWOT

The Committee Members have considered a Swot (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis, and have applied SWOT in implementation of our plans.


3. Visions and Missions of the Committee


The Committee members have agreed to put emphasis on two areas : Women and children (the objective No. 5)


3.1 Statement of the Problem


Roles of women for enhancing Buddhism are still limited due to social and cultural factors in the countries where the WFB Regional Centres are located in terms of broadening participation in practice and propagation of Buddhism.


3.2 Principle of Action


Various activities to enhance the roles of women in Buddhism will be undertaken in accordance with the frame-work endorsed by the Meeting. These among others include partnership in the form of Sister-Regional Center Network through information technology, joint research in social services, and cultural exchanges.


3.3 Target for B.E. 2543 / 2000


a) Roles of women in Buddhism will be increased and accepted as an equal partnership consisting of Bhikkhu, Bhikhuni, Upasok and Upasika, (Four Pillars of Buddhism).


b) Social functions based on Buddhism will be operated through the networks of Buddhist women in the society with support of the WFB Regional Centres.




4. Program Actions


  1. Publications of a booklet on the roles of women in the world Buddhism.

  2. Production and distribution of a 6-monthly newsletter.

  3. Cooperation with the WFB's Regional Centres in the formation of partnerships, e.g. with the Buddhist Women's Association, Nepal and so on.

  4. Creation of the networking system between women's groups in the WFB Regional Centres.

  5. Establishment of the Liaison Officer for Women in each WFB Regional Centre, as stated earlier.

  6. Educational equality for all the children through the roles of Buddhist women will be implemented through various strategies and measures in accordance with the social and cultural norms of the society.




5. Major Missions For Future Development of the Standing Committee on Women of the WFB.


Partnership: like Sister-Regional Centres. Members must maintain contact with their "Sister-Regional" Centres. Liaison Officers form each Regional Centre should produce a six monthly report to be submitted to headquarters for inclusion into each newsletter.


Networks: we now have Internet services that Centres can access to keep updated as to the activities of other Centres. The Committee must develop a bank information on potential sources of economic assistance in the areas of education, etc.


Joint Research on Social Services: e.g. Health, housing, income maintenance, education, employment, personal (general), social services (e.g. Social work orientated services), spiritual practices, roles of men / women, i.e. analysis of gender roles.


Exchange of Documentation: The Chairperson asked if Regional Centres have received the Newsletter from headquarters – not all have received. All present agreed to the proposal of a six – monthly publication of a newsletter.

Emphasis was placed on developing and maintaining the flow of information among WFB Regional Centres.


Trips, Field Visit, Homestay: Cultural visits, exchange of students between countries, e.g. Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Nepal, Taiwan, Thailand, etc. The Committee proposes to increase cultural exchange and increase awareness of women's status in other cultures through field trips and student exchange.




6. Activities / Programs in Action and in Progress in B. E. 2542 / 1999


In B.E. 2542 / 1999, some major activities / programs undertaken to meet its objectives can be summarized as follows:

1.Three meetings of the new Committee Members were arranged to draft our operational plans/ programs/ activities for B.E. 2542 / 1999 and B.E. 2543 / 2000.

2.Goodwill cards were sent to its members and those in the field of women and children on special occasions.

3.Production of various academic articles for publishing our WFB newsletter (in English), WFB Thai Journal (in Thai), for example:



"Women's Roles in Buddhist Activities" (published in WFB Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 9 September 2542 / 1999 and in a special issue on " Bhikkhuni Dhammavati's Lifetime achievement" in Nepal);


"Family and Domestic Violence: Its not too late to be Helped" in WFB Newsletter Vol. 2 No. 10, October 1999 / 2542.


"Family Violence in Osaka" in WFB Newsletter, Vol. 2 No. 1;


Summary of "WFB Dhaka Talk on Buddhism and Ecology" given by Dr. Daniel H. Henning, in WFB Newsletter, Vol. 1 No.6.


" A Progress Report on Women From the Standing Committee on Women" in WFB Newsletter Vol. 1 No. 3, March B.E. 2541 / 1998;


"A Courtesy Visit to WFB Regional Centres in Australia" in WFB Newsletter, Vol.1 No 2 and so on.

4. Publishing the first the Standing Committee on Women Newsletter that will be circulated to our members of WFB Regional Centres.

5. In the process of collecting data from\ our Regional Centres to write a booklet on "The Roles of Women in the Buddhist Activities in our WFB Regional Centres".

6. Establishment of the Liaison Officer for Women in each Regional Centre e.g. In Nepal, Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, New Zealand, India etc.

7. Cooperation with our Regional Centres in exchange of document : in attending seminars and conferences related to women's issues, in filed trips, e.g. the Chairperson's visits to Yarnprateep Temple in Auckland, New Zealand to observe Buddhist women and Nuns, volunteers in Buddhist activities in the Thai Temple; to the Buddhist Society in Perth to promote closer relationships and cooperation among Buddhist women: the Chairperson's presentation of a paper on "The Roles of Social Welfare in Protection of Human Rights of Seven Disadvantaged Groups in Thailand, including women at the State Conference of the Australian Association of Social Works / Western Branch in Perth and so on.




7. The Program / Activities of the Committee in B. E. 2543 / 2000


    1. To Publish quarterly newsletter of the Committee;

    2. To assist Regional Centres in the formation of partnership;

    3. To create networks between women groups of the WFB Regional Centres;

    4. To increase membership of Regional Centres representatives;

    5. To publish a booklet on "Women's Roles in Buddhist Activities in WFB Regional Centres in B.E. 2542 -2543 / 1999-2000"

    6. To produce a Brochure of the Standing Committee on Women;

    7. To conduct a joint research on Social Services; women and children updated issues;

    8. To exchange documents / information between the Committee and Regional Centres;

    9. To increase cultural exchange and awareness of the women's status in other cultures through filed trips and student exchange programs;

    10. To work towards ensuring educational equality for all children, regardless of gender.





NEWS FROM OUR LIAISON OFFICERS

OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON WOMEN, AT WFB REGIONAL CENTRES



BUDDHIST WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION, NEPAL

by Mrs Wimala Bajracharya, President



The Executive Members of the Buddhist Women's Association, Nepal


Assistant Treasurer – Mrs Ganga Shrestha

Treasurer – Mrs. Krishna Kali Sakya

3rd Vice-Presidnet – Dr. Yshodhara Pradhan

2nd Vice-President – Mrs. Basanti Bajracharya

President – Mrs Bimala Bajracharya

Secretary General – Mrs Meera Jyoti

Secretary – Miss Beena Kansakar

Assistnat Secretary – Miss Sujata Manandhar


The Buddhist Women's Association, Nepal was set up in B. E. 2523 / 1980 with eleven members in the Executive Committee. Its aims and objectives have been to "propagate the teaching of the Buddha through various activities and to improve the social, educational and economic conditions of women and to maintain friendly relationships with international Buddhist associations.


During these last fourteen years we have carried out various activities such as :

a. Inter school and college Essay competitions on Buddhism;

b. Inter school Art competitions on Buddhism;

c. Free Medical camps in villages;

d. Distribution of fruits, food stuff and clothes in villages;

e. blood donations

f. One day meditation camps for children at schools and villages

g. Talk land lecture programs on Buddhism in villages and schools


The Association had rendered their services in the Registration Department during the 15th WFB Conference held in Kathmandu in 1986. In like manner this association rendered their best services in various areas of activities during the First second and third National Conferences held by the Dharmodaya Sabha in 1987, 1989 and 1991.


Since we have been carrying out these activities for so many years we felt the need to be officially recognized by the government. Our Association was also officially registered by His Majesty's Government of Nepal Reg. 554/051/052 in May 1995. Now we have an Ad-hoc committee with 18 executive members.





FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD


Dear Members and Readers


This is the first newsletter of the Standing Committee on Women, one of the nine Standing Committees of the World Fellowship of Buddhists. The objectives of the newsletter are (1) to publish materials which report the on-going activities of the Standing Committee on Women; (2) to create a wider network for action by collecting and disseminating information about issues relating to women, Children and other female groups of the WFB Regional Centres; (3) to promote the roles / statuses of women in Buddhism, in the WFB and in society for securing peace, happiness and harmony among men and women.


This "Standing Committee on Women, WFB Newsletter" will be issued quarterly in containing articles relating to women issues from Buddhist female, as well as male scholars and news from our liaison officers at the WFB Regional Centres.


Your contributions will be of the greatest and most valuable contributions to help f fulfill our endeavor.


Associate Professor Sritaptim Panitpan, D.S.W.

Editor-in-Chief