In today's increasingly globalised world, where news from every corner is available at a click, we are often exposed to a myriad issues facing humanity. At times, the plethora of negative headlines may make one question whether our world is becoming increasingly tumultuous, or if we are simply better-informed given the advancement of digital information technology. Nonetheless, the thought of the world never having made it "past its past," with issues like gender inequality, poverty and sexual abuse constantly reported, easily leaves one feeling disheartened and uninspired.

The rise of this digital information age, however, has helped bring long overdue attention to various issues, such as the #MeToo movement, which gained traction after a tweet in 2017, exposing the gender-based violence and harassment women face around the world.

But away from the eyes of the mainstream, there remain an array of issues that women face in the 21st century. Some issues are hopelessly perpetual, persisting behind locked doors.

In 2021, Penal Reform International reported a 17 percent increase in the number of female inmates globally since 2010. In facilities historically designed for men, women in incarceration are exposed to a wide range of issues, including pregnancy, lack of gender-specific healthcare, violence, and mental and sexual abuse. A fact that often remains unreported is that many female inmates are sent to prison for committing only minor offences and are often victims of abuse themselves. Conceivably, given the lack of human rights afforded to this group of women worldwide, the words of Nelson Mandela may still ring true, "It is said that no one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its lowest ones."

Against the backdrop of despair and silent neglect, it is often said that one can always find hope and inspiration. On a summer day in July 2001, a female inmate at the Central Women's Correctional Institution in Bangkok told a young lady visitor of her concerns about raising her child in prison. The hardships and vulnerability of the female inmate, and the lack of care and opportunities facing the innocent child, left an impact on the young visitor: Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol of Thailand.

After receiving her doctorate degree in law (JSD) from Cornell University, and earning a wealth of experience in criminal justice and the rule of law from working as a public prosecutor in Thailand, the princess launched the "Kamlangjai Project" (Inspire Project) in Thailand with her personal funds in 2006. Based on the premise of upholding human rights, the project created the first instances whereby female and pregnant inmates were provided assistance and support on a range of gender-specific issues, such as pregnancy, healthcare, and childcare, to allow them the opportunity to adequately nurture their infants.

Over the years, the programme has been implemented in various correctional facilities across Thailand, and has embarked on a long-term approach in inspiring thousands of female inmates to reintegrate into society, through a development-led approach based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej the Great.

The impacts of the Kamlangjai Project were not just confined to Thailand. Having advocated for the rights of the vulnerable both as a public prosecutor and a diplomat, Princess Bajrakitiyabha recognised that change for women can only be realised if both the social and legal spheres evolve in tandem.

In 2008, the princess presented the Kamlangjai Project at the margins of the 17th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice at the United Nations (UN) in Vienna, Austria, setting off a catalyst for Thailand's multifaceted global campaign for the conception and adoption of the world's first set of specific rules on fair treatment of female offenders. Within the multilateral fora, she spearheaded the "Enhancing the Lives of Female Inmates (ELFI)" campaign, achieving an international consensus to update norms set by the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners.

Under her impetus, Thailand emerged as a leading player in the UN's drafting process, pushing the multilateral drive for the rights of female inmates worldwide. In a mere two years of rigorous political and legal lobbying, the UN Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders—also known as the Bangkok Rules—were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2010, marking a legal paradigm shift within the international community and embedding the first ever UN standards on the treatment of female prisoners.

With the Bangkok Rules, no longer are women in incarceration the world's forgotten population. With provisions ranging from prohibition of punishment in close confinement for breastfeeding mothers, to support for mental healthcare and protection for those reporting abuse, the Bangkok Rules established a set of actionable standards for all nations to adhere to. While work continues to be done worldwide, it is indisputable that such efforts have had a tangible outcome, inspiring and directly benefiting the lives of countless women and children across the globe.

Inspired by the examples shown by the princess, the Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ) continues to mainstream women's rights and dignity vis-à-vis criminal justice and the rule of law. With strength and compassion, one may find hope in her words, "We must inculcate our children of today on gender issues so as to create the next generation of men who respect women. But above all, we must inspire those with a painful past to have courage to live with hope."

Revisiting Mandela's quote, perhaps nations can be judged today in a better light than yesterday. In this increasingly globalised world, where digital technology has overwhelmed us with negative headlines on a daily basis, perhaps what the world needs is a little hope and more kamlangjai or inspiration of the heart.

Dr Phiset Sa-ardyen is the executive director of Thailand Institute of Justice (TIJ), which is dedicated to promoting Thailand's justice system in affiliation with UN PNI.