Abstract:
This research aimed to 1) investigate womens status and roles in promoting peace in the Three Southern Border Provinces of Thailand, 2) explore their peace processes, and 3) analyze their roles in promoting peace in those provinces. The research employed qualitative methodology, collecting data through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and storytelling. The key informants were divided into three groups: experts, administrators, and stakeholders; female activists and local leaders in the provinces; and the civil society.
The result revealed that violence caused by the insurgency in the three southern border provinces resulted in change in womens roles. Women became political, economic, and social leaders. Especially, for Muslim women, the roles of leaders and religious socialization could significantly contribute to peace. For Buddhist and Muslim women, their roles were determined to maintain national security through their participation with their family members and communities. Their peace processes included 1) determination, 2) group formation and gathering, 3) learning and development of fighting techniques, 4) meaning construction and civil society mobilization, and 5) an upgrade of womens roles in promoting peace as the national agenda. According to the result of the analysis of their roles, women were in heavy combat against gender inequality. Training and development was an important tool for upgrading their roles. The successful key to achieve peace was not only dropping weapons but also promoting gender equality, eliminating gender discrimination, and stopping violence in families, communities, and society