Chiang Mai University (CMU) has developed women’s access schemes to support female students throughout their academic journey. The university addresses gender discrimination through programs focused on mentoring, scholarships, and targeted support, aiming to provide equal opportunities for women across all academic disciplines.

Women’s Access Schemes: Mentoring and Support

          CMU provides women’s access schemes that support female students from admission through graduation. The mentoring programs connect female students with experienced professionals and faculty members, creating networks for academic progression and career development. These mentoring schemes reach hundreds of women students each year.

          The Women’s Studies Center, established in 1986, operates as a central hub for gender equality initiatives at CMU. The Center provides scholarships for women pursuing studies and research on women’s rights, gender discrimination, and gender-based violence. These scholarships help reduce financial barriers for women accessing higher education. The funding covers research activities, academic presentations, and publishing opportunities for students from the Faculty of Social Sciences, Graduate School, and external agencies, supporting women scholars in contributing to discourse on sexual harassment, violence against women, and gender stereotypes.

           The Center organizes year-round programs including Genders Talk and Gender Seminars, which facilitate discussions and knowledge exchanges on gender rights, self-advocacy, awareness, and gender-related issues for men, women, and LGBTQ+ communities. These platforms allow women’s participation in scholarly dialogue about feminism and gender mainstreaming.

Women in STEM: Addressing Gender Gaps

            The Faculty of Engineering implements a “Women in Engineering” admission quota through the TCAS system to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM fields. This women’s access scheme increases female participation in engineering programs. The initiative works toward gender parity in fields where women face gender pay gaps and limited representation in leadership positions. The program recognizes that globally, males are overrepresented in STEM, and seeks to close the gender gap by bringing more diversity and new perspectives to technical fields.

Additional Support Programs for Women

             CMU offers several programs to support women’s participation beyond admission. The Women Capacity Building Workshop, held December 7-9, 2023, was organized by the Political Science Innovation Center in collaboration with the International Republican Institute (IRI). This workshop provided mentoring for leadership development, specifically designed to develop female leadership for community change. Female participants learned from women leaders and experts about policy design and community change strategies, gaining practical skills for women in leadership roles.

            The Faculty Startup Clubs, launched in 2024, offer mentoring from experienced professionals across 13 faculties. The CMU builds initiative created a supportive entrepreneurial ecosystem where female students can develop entrepreneurial skills, connect with cross-faculty teams, and address work-life balance challenges that often affect women in business. This mentoring program ensures women have equal opportunities to pursue innovation and economic empowerment through startup ventures.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

          CMU works to address violence against women through research and education programs. On November 8, 2023, the Anti-Violence Project, conducted by FOCUS and the Women’s Studies Center, held a Focus Group Discussion on sexual harassment to examine violence related to gender stereotypes and gender roles. The project promotes a “culture of consent” among vulnerable groups, directly addressing how inappropriate sexual behavior and gender-based violence affect women’s access to education and equal opportunities.

Gender Identity and Inclusion

          CMU organized Pride Month activities in June 2023 and continued these celebrations in June 2024. CMU’s Corporate Communication and Alumni Relations Center (CCARC) to organize comprehensive events including exhibitions on gender diversity, panel discussions on “Gender Equality in Education and Workplace” in 2023 and “Love is Not Just About Two People” in 2024, Pride parades, and Fashion Shows celebrating self-expression for all genders and ages. These activities address gender mainstreaming and inclusion beyond binary gender categories, covering gender identity, transgender rights, and discrimination based on sexual orientation. The events explore feminism and examine how patriarchy and sexism affect institutional structures.

Overview of Women’s Access Schemes

           CMU’s approach to gender equality includes systematic support through mentoring, scholarships, and women’s access schemes. The programs address various aspects of women’s participation, from providing scholarships for disadvantaged women and first-generation female students to offering mentoring programs that support women from admission through graduation. The university provides information on reproductive rights, supports maternity needs, and tracks women’s progression. These programs work together to create an educational environment where women’s participation is supported through concrete resources and structured programs, contributing to broader efforts toward gender parity and women’s rights.