Abstract:
The aim of this thesis is to 1) find the learning processes of groups of women in natural resource management; 2) analyze the factors and conditions of learning process which empower groups of women in natural resource management; and 3) develop a learning process to empower groups of women in natural resource management. Qualitative methodology is employed in collecting data. The study is examined from two cases studies: (1) A group of women at Ban ThungYao, SriBuaBann, Lamphun Province and (2) A group of women from Taam and People Association, RaSriSalai Dam, Srisaket Province. The summary results of these two case studies are accordingly applied, using Participatory Action Research (PAR) in a group of women at Baan MuangChum, ChiangKhong, ChiangRai Province. The research outcomes can be summarized as follows: 1) The learning processes to empower groups of women in natural resource management from the two case studies have six similar processes of learning: (1) specifying a target group, (2) determining promising options for completion, (3) collaborating in making an action plan, (4) participating in group working, (5) summarizing learning outcomes, and (6) transferring knowledge. The last two processes are considered as the most important procedures in empowering a group of women to contribute self-development. However, each case study has specific characteristic of the learning process; the aggregation of the group of women of Ban ThungYao is an inside-out approach, dividing group from participants in the community, while the group of women from Taam and People Association builds the group by creating a new group accompanying people from outside. 2) Similar factors of the two case studies can be seen from both internal and external factors. The same internal factors are: (1) families, (2) key informants in a community, and (3) inhabitants in a community. The similar external factors are: (1) NGOs, and (2) networking corporations. Significant internal factors of the group of women at Ban ThungYao are presented as follows: (1) cultural traditions and local history, (2) inhabitants in a community, (3) resource base, (4) community strength, and (5) leaders of a community. Notable internal factors of the group of women from Taam and People Association can be presented in five points: (1) internal motivation, (2) group networking, (3) participatory approach in performance, and (4) economic status. Noteworthy external factors of the group of women at Ban ThungYao are the management of community's forestry. The notable external factors of the group of women from Taam and People Association are: (1) Leaders, (2) community's media, and (3) community research. Additionally, the same condition in contributing a group learning process of these two case studies is the government's developing policy. The different conditions of the group of women at Ban ThungYao are timing and interesting point, while the different conditions of the group of women from Taam and People Association are community's context and being representatives of their own families. 3) The development of learning processes to empower groups of women in natural resource management is the process of learning from the experience-based and problem-based approaches. These approaches are consisted of (1) problem exploring, (2) group networking participation, (3) common problem finding, (4) alternatives determining, (5) participating in planning, (6) performing participation, (7) lesson learned, and (8) knowledge transferring. These approaches relate to the relationship between participants and natural resources subject to area contexts, interesting aspects, and Thailand's developing policy. In order that, the process requires previous experiences, gender perspectives, skill bases, technical process and participation-based approach. Finally, the internal factors employing in the process are: (1) community strength, (2) family, and (3) community's key informants. The external factors are: (1) roles of developers, (2) academics, and (3) support from external agencies.