Questions/Answers

Tapamok subdistrict, a community in Northern Thailand, the locals still believe in the stereotype of male superior roles as being a leader and a breadwinner whereas female role is deemed as being an inferior angel in the house. In other words, women must always follow the lead of men. Without a social circle and a job, widows could not look after themselves and suffer a decline on livelihoods due to their lack of skills and vocational options. Tapamok Sub-district Administration Organization has thus supported the establishment a group of women from 42 households, providing them with opportunities to think and solve their own problems; this includes the participating in making guidance and evaluation with all sectors through the application of “Group Power Approach”. As part of the approach, group members are brought back to classrooms via nature, using earth, water, and forest as learning subjects. The members can use their own land as the base for sustainable agriculture. The members should then be self-sufficient as they are now equipped with jobs, skills, and experiences. Moreover, they have utilized the community’s meeting to advise and to basic socio-political can be learned. Likewise, the use of water courses and communal forest has become a study center for water management and ecosystem in the community. As a result, the initiative helps boost the livelihoods of all 42 women towards a life with stability, jobs, social interaction and political participation equally to men. Moreover, there is also an increase in water resources and communal forest. The initiative has now extended its knowledge as seen from an expansion of 42 households to 1,616 households to help provide knowledge, skills and jobs to all women as an immunity to be used when there is a lack of male in their families.

To build the potential, promote the gender equality of the women group among the 42 families encountering the problems, and encourage the nationwide law enforcement. The women group was poor and disadvantaged. These women were encouraged to have the leadership role both in the family and community with the emphasis on the equality of rights and duties. They were also encouraged to participate in, acknowledge the problems, and suggest the promotion for women and girls in 1,616 families. The attitude relate to the gender inequality in the past should be changed whereas the family problems e.g. the husbands were dead, disabled, or the women were divorced. Generally, the men acted as the family leader. However, the women had to be fight against all problems and responsible for their families instead of men. To encourage the women group to exhibit their role through solving the problems of draught with all sectors so that the water could be stored, managed: the water would be available for consumption throughout the year. To improve the quality of life by building the occupation, providing the sufficient food. To build the community forest area i.e. the water sources for achieving the better ecological system.

This innovation was consistent with the promotion of gender equality. The SAO has cooperated with the community and selected the women’s families facing the gender inequality so that these women could be gathered to solve the problems. They were encouraged and educated to change the existing attitudes and beliefs and gain more occupational skills so that they could have the leadership role in the family. These women could get the services through the community development division of the SAO. Furthermore, the women would be also selected to be the leaders and act as the members of the water management committee. The women group would be promoted as the representatives for the local politics whereas the network would be built for the problem solving. This process was recognized as the government system reform. In the past, the money was individually given for the help but this did not achieve any sustainability. As such, the women group was encouraged to solve their own problems and had more roles in the family and community in order to improve their quality of life and gain more income whereas SAO was just the mentor department. The success of this process was very successful.

The women group to be the main backbone driving the mechanisms for improving the quality of life of women in the 42 families that faced problems. The process emphasized the gender equality and built the potential of women so that they could participate in the political decisions, community resolution, and all steps of problem solving. This would lead to the continuous and sustainable balance of women power. The water sources would be also provided to be sufficient for the consumption and agriculture, which is the main occupation of the women group. The water costs should be annually analyzed. In addition, the water distribution system should be developed while the water reservoirs, check dams, and wells should be built. In this matter, the water management committee led by the women group has cooperated with the regional and international departments to achieve the sustainable management. Besides, the process focused on the elimination of poverty, promotion of agricultural occupation in the local area where water plays the great role on farming of rice, bamboo shoots, and corns based on the self-sufficiency agricultural concept to gain more income from the agriculture with sufficient food throughout the year and increased community forest areas.

Tapamok SAO has participated in the problem solving related to the gender inequality by providing the knowledge related to the household rights and duties plus the community participation. It looked for the families that had the problems especially the ones that had no men acting as the family leaders and could not live by themselves. Totally, there were 42 families in the criteria. Their lessons were later studied as the guidelines to solve the problems. In addition, the group representatives were selected to do some assignments such as to cooperate with all sectors, propose the plans and list of group representatives so that Tapamok SAO could consider. The process also aimed to provide sufficient water for consumption and agriculture, establish the strategies for solving the draught problems, and provide the sand bags, reservoirs, wells, and water distribution system such as siphons. Meanwhile, the data related to the household water consumption demand, agricultural areas, and cultivation demand of the families were surveyed so that the plans could be properly made for the sufficient water throughout the year. The results were also monitored whereas the data were updated with other sectors for the problem solving, further development, and outcome extension.

Tapamok Women Group was promoted to have more leadership roles in the family and community, could be stably and sustainably changed as follows: The women group of 42 families obtained the direct benefits. In the past, these women could not be able to participate in the problem solving of their own families and their community. However, from now on, these women could propose the guidelines for the problem solving and directly obtain the benefits. Moreover, they could transfer the knowledge, change the attitudes and beliefs, enhance the gender equality, develop themselves to be the family and social leaders, enhance the occupation and income. The population of 4,750 people in Tapamok Community would gain the indirect benefits as all families would have the water supply for consumption and agriculture throughout the year. So, these people could produce the foods for all lives in the communities with the great ecological system for the community forest. The Thai government also obtained the benefits as it could enforce the laws related to the gender equality nationwide while the study visitors and general people could apply the data in adjusting the problem solution. Until now, there were totally 119 people from 5 groups.

This was the concept where women facing the domestic problems could be grouped to build the power and enhance their own potential so that these women could become a leader of family and society. At the same time, the existing beliefs and attitudes obstructing the women from having the roles should be eliminated to respond to the policy of the government on the gender equality. Having recognized the value and potential of the women, SAO encouraged the women to be gathered to build the power so that they could solve their own problems and the community’s problems because women were promoted to solve the gender inequality existing in the society. Economy: There should be sufficient food, agricultural occupation, and stable income. Politics: Women should be appointed as the representatives of the group and also the local politics. Natural Resources: Women should have more roles in the household water management. Meanwhile, the water for agriculture should be sufficient whereas the community. The results of the operation performed by the power of women group in association could also make people in the community confident with the gender equality which in the past was obstructed by the beliefs and attitudes.

This innovation was the original concept originated from the problems accumulated for several years ago. SAO has provided the assistance for the families where the women could not earn for their families since their husbands were dead. To help these women, SAO gave them money. However, this was not sustainable. SAO has assessed, reviewed, and adjusted the problem solving and found that these women did not have the roles and could not participate in their own problem solving. As a result, the women group was established so that women could participate in the decision and proposal of plans. Since these women were also promoted as the political representatives, they had more leadership roles whereas the existing attitudes and beliefs were eliminated. Upon the establishment of women group, it was found that these women had the lands as their original costs but they did not have sufficient water, knowledge, and experience. So, the government departments such as Department of Agricultural Extension were coordinated to provide the knowledge and budgets for the problem solving on the insufficiency of water for consumption and agriculture. As a result, the food became sufficient whereas the household income was sustainably increased

Women in 42 families have participated in their own problem solving on the gender inequality, water sources, agricultural occupation, and invasion of forest areas. In addition, the officers from the government departments such as the Community Development Department, Department of Agricultural Extension, Department of Water Resource, Royal Irrigation Department, Department of Fisheries. The money allocated by the relevant government units has been used in the building of check dams, reservoirs, materials and species of plants. For the management and administration, Tapamok SAO has promoted and provided the knowledge related to the sufficiency economy for the women, gain the agricultural skills, leadership, social participation, and integrated knowledge related to the soil, water, and forest in accordance with the concept of Asia Development Bank in terms of the increase of productivity and enhancement of immunity for women. In terms of the technology, Google Earth system was applied for the community water mapping to solve the water problems of women. Moreover, the solar cells were also applied in the water distribution system. In regard with the land resources, as the women already had the land ownership certificates, they could do the agriculture for food and income.

Yes

This innovation became the model that has been adapted and extended as follows: Upon the visit of 14 staffs of Asia Development Bank, they proposed the ideas to solve the problems related to the gender inequality of the women group. They suggested that the women should participate in the social activities and water management. This was discussed to other national organizations in the conference in Sukhothai Province for the extension in the provinces flown by Yom River. Office of Yom River Management, Pitsanulok Province and Water Management Center, Phrae Province, totally 26 staffs, have visited and discussed about the management of draught and water of the women group and the public sector. The outcomes were extended and adapted to build Kaeng Sua Ten reservoir on Yom River. Pak Kang Sub-district Municipality, totally 34 staffs, have visited and applied the idea to solve the problem of gender inequality on the building of the check dam in their own area. The group of upper northern provinces and Department of Water Resource, totally 45 staffs, have observed the water management of the women group and the public sector. They then applied and extended the results in the 10 northern provinces.

For over ten years, Tapamok SAO has provided the help and support for the women facing the family problems. The women group has been continuously developed whereas the development strategies, as follows: For the social domain, SAO has determined the strategies promoting the gender equality among the women and the girls in the local development plans. The budgets, guidelines of development, campaigning activities, public relations, trainings and learning to be a community leader have been provided so that the women of the next generations can be continuously fostered with the gender equality. In addition, the structure of the women group was clearly determined in terms of the roles and duties for the proper decision and resolution. The committee members would be in the office for 2 years. All of these would motivate the women and adjust the social participation and local politics. In regard with the environment, SAO encouraged the women group to make the community water plans as the data to be considered for the preparation of water management plans, forest fire prevention plans, and watershed forest restoration plans. The community regulations will be determined through the community resolution as the strategies and policies of SAO every year. In addition, the women group should be promoted with the organic agriculture, biological fertilizer, and organic pesticides. In terms of the economy, SAO encouraged the women group to do the agriculture in their own lands based on the sufficiency economy philosophy. Upon the water problem solving, there are the water sources such as reservoirs, wells, check dams that can store the water throughout the year whereas the solar cell distribution system was extended to reduce the energy costs. The agricultural potential of the women group has been promoted while the women were trained and educated.

This innovation is still run while the women are grouped to have the gender equality. The group members explicitly had the mission driving resulting in the stable income. As the problems could be successfully solved based on the objectives, the results were extended to the local and regional organizations as the model for the local problem solving. This innovation was also in accordance with the sufficiency economy. So, the women group lives with the sufficiency, thinks with reasons, and gain more immunity. With the morality, the group lives peacefully and sustainably, From the activities of the women group on the water management for agriculture, there are more agricultural products in the market. Such products managed by Tapamok community enterprise are welcomed by the market whereas the prices can be negotiated for the group members. In addition, the women group also has the fund for women, girls, and disadvantaged people. The fund has been investigated, assessed, publicized, and improved for the effective operation. As such the amount of the fund can indicate the stability and sustainability of the women group. From the activities of the women group, it was found that the women spent both time and knowledge. This could be recognized as the success because during the past ten years, eight women networks were built in eight communities. More important, the beliefs and culture related to the gender inequality could be successfully eliminated. So, at present and in the future, the gender equality will be sustainable in Tapamok community.

Yes

Assessment on Enhancement of Gender Equality: The women group consisting of 42 families has officially assessed the gender equality from the local surveys from the Prime Minister Office, King Prajadhipok's Institute, Rajabhat University, Subdistrict Administration Organizations, and other government departments. SOA has submitted this work in the contest and it was awarded with the following assessment: Family and Social Leadership: For the household management in terms of stability and safety, the role of political participation in a local level, the good example for all women, 50% of all families in the community or 810 families were randomly assessed to evaluate the attitudes, beliefs of gender inequality, and support for law enforcement. Water Problem Solving: The water management and provision of water sources e.g. reservoirs, wells, dams that can sufficiently store the water, and distribution of sufficient water to the households and for the agriculture were assessed. Improvement of Quality of Life among Women in 42 Families: The rice i.e. the main food should be sufficient for the living with agricultural occupation and household income. Community Forest: There should be more areas of the community forests so that the perfect ecological system can be achieved.

Enhancement of Gender Equality: Concerning the leadership of family and society, the women in 42 families or 100% lived without men. Eleven of these women could earn money for their families and could participate in the local politics. They could be the good example for the women in the community so that they could change the attitudes, beliefs, and gender inequality. From the assessment of the women group, 92% of the women have changed and obtained more roles. Water Problem Solving: According to the water problem solving, the women representative of 16 families have played the role in the water management e.g. 10 reservoirs, 57 wells, and 13 check dams. As a result, the water can be sufficiently stored for the household consumption (83,220 cubic meters) and agriculture (17,497,100 cubic meters). Improvement of Quality of Life: The women in 42 families have enough rice for their family i.e. 7.5 tons per year. They do the agriculture for bamboo shoots, rice, and corns. The household income is 160,000 Baht per year. They have savings for the fund for women. Community Forest: The areas of community forest have been increased for 6,385 Rais resulting in the perfect ecological system.

Enhancement of Gender Equality. There were two indicators for the leadership of 42 families i.e. :There was no man in the family. If there was a man in the family, he could not earn for the family. :Number of women participating in the local politics The women group for all women in the community and also inspired them to change the beliefs related to the gender inequality. :The indicator of this part was the percentage of the women changing their beliefs and attitudes. Water Problem Solving. The women group had the role in the water management. :The indicator was the number of women families participating as the water management committee. Provision of Water Sources. :The indicator was the number of sufficient water sources. Water Distribution System. :The indicator was the quantity of water for consumption and agriculture, Improvement of Quality of Life of 42 Women Families. Rice: The indicator was the weight of the rice per household. Occupation of Women Group: The indicator was the agricultural occupation. Household Income: The indicator was the household income per year. Areas of Community Forests. :The indicator was the amount of increased areas for the community forests by the comparison.

Since 2007, the women group of 42 families has reflected that the women should solve their own problems and should be also the leaders for other women so that they could change the attitudes and beliefs related to the gender inequality. SAO and the Department of Water Resource has encouraged, supported, promoted, and provided the knowledge in terms of the roles and rights, gender equality, budgets, personnel, tools, occupational trainings, coordination, marketing and assessment including the water storage sources since 2007. The total of 1,616 families has supported the women group of 42 families to drive and solve these problems since 2007. Asia Development Bank has encouraged SAO and the public sector to make the plans and visualize the lessons learned with the problems occurred in the community with the integration concept in 2015. The Community Development Department has promoted and transferred the new occupational knowledge to the women group and also assessed the household incomes since 2012 until now. The Department of Agricultural Extension registered the agricultural areas for the women group and all families to adjust and officially prevent the watershed forest invasion resulting in the reduced deforestation in 2013. The Royal Forest Department has provided the community forest areas since 2003 to the present. The Department of Social Development including the knowledge on living since 2002. Uttaradit Rajabhat University has assessed the satisfaction on the draught management of the women group in 2016. King Prajadhipok's Institute assessed the participation of the women group and the public sector in the water management and improvement of quality of life in 2012, 2014, and 2016. The Prime Minister Office has assessed the leadership promotion for the women group to solve the family and community problems in 2017.

The lessons learned from this innovation revealed that some culture and beliefs extremely influenced the living of people in Tapamok community. These also affected the roles, rights, and freedom of the women. The problem solving on the gender inequality of the women group of 42 families was very successful. Namely, the women and girls could obtain the gender equality for their living without depending on the men. The roles were given to the women e.g. the community leaders and representatives of local politics. All of these could eliminate the attitudes that women were only the followers of men. In addition, the women could live with the agricultural occupation and had enough water for consumption and agriculture with the stable agricultural income and perfect community forest. SAO therefore had the idea to extend this innovation to provide the sustainability for the women group and all women in the community. As such, the women group was legally registered as the Tapamok Women Group Association as a juristic person so that the incomes and expenses. In addition, the community water mapping center will be promoted to Water Management School where the external organizations.