Over a hundred years ago, women in Russia, the United States, Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland banded together to form groups who took to the streets to protest for their rights and the rights of other women.
Their organisation and struggles were successful in promoting equal rights for female workers.
Thanks to their efforts and ensuring movements, many women now have an eight-hour working day, have at least a minimum wage and can vote in elections.
Women around the world continue to march and protest against war and social injustice in whatever form it may take -- typically issues that affect each of us, our families, our communities and our shared planet.
In honour of such spirit, March 8 has been recognised as International Women's Day which celebrates the achievements of women around the world.
But in Thailand, International Women's Day 2022, which fell on Tuesday, was not so much a day of celebration.
There are many challenges that the women's movement face in the kingdom.
The main one we now face is in the form of legislation.
The government is trying to introduce legislation known as the Operation of Not-for-Profit Organisations Act which will undermine the freedom and rights of citizens to gather, associate and campaign freely.
Freedom of association enables civic groups to talk, meet and collectively protest.
It enables us to make our voices heard, whether they be raised in jubilation or roaring in condemnation of injustice.
The law will smother this. It will stymie people's rights and freedoms guaranteed under the constitution and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
Such rights and freedoms are put in place in the hope of creating a more beautiful and progressive society. Such ideals will be under threat with this legislation.
The law will impede upon the freedom of association for all groups, all demonstrations, and all advocacy groups.
It will affect how people can come together to oppose policies that are detrimental to their concerns be it in relation to the environment, their communities or whatever.
Under the approved bill, any act of dissent can be subjected to state interpretation and can be classified as an act in breach of public order or national security.
Let's imagine that we are planning activities to mark International Women's Day or any activities such as a petition on the protection of women human rights defenders, land rights, housing rights, the closure of a mine and restoration of the environment, and the rights of ethnic groups.
To advocate for such rights, we are required to first obtain permission from the committee pursuant to the act as regulated by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security.
Without such permission, we might not be able to organise anything.
But can we tolerate such a restriction? Can we allow the state to legislate to interfere with our right to freedom of association?
In honour of International Women's Day, let's demand the state halt the introduction of the Operation of Not-for-Profit Organisations Act, and any law which aims to restrict our freedom of association.
We have already been through enough.
Too many of us have already been charged simply for peacefully defending our community, livelihoods, and nature.
Others have faced the threat of water cannons and tear gas on the streets.
Sisters have been put behind bars and denied bail.
Mothers have resorted to holding vigils outside jails as they call for their activist children to be released.
And we all live with the fear of who will be punished next for daring to stand up and speak out.
Let's make our voice heard that such laws are incompatible with the spirit and aspiration of women around the world.
We shall not, and cannot, allow this to happen in our country. It is an intolerable situation.
We must be understood.
The Women Human Rights Defenders Collective in Thailand is opposed to the introduction of legislation while the country remains undemocratic and there is no respect for women and a complete disregard for human rights.
Pranom Somwong is a representative of Protection International on behalf of The Women Human Rights Defenders Collective, a non-profit group comprised of community and grassroots women human rights defenders representing 19 different sectors.
