This International Women’s Day’s theme of “Inspire Inclusion” is a commitment to recognizing and celebrating the rich experiences, cultures, and perspectives that women bring to the table. For the Khlong Prasong Women Leaders in Krabi province, it serves as a reminder of the struggle they have endured to be included in mangrove conservation efforts and the work that still lies ahead. With collaborative support from local partners, government institutes and other communities, they are creating an inclusive world where every woman, regardless of background and age, is empowered to thrive.
The following are stories of Khlong Prasong women undertaking conservation work that epitomize human resilience and the power of community in the face of adversity.
Kanit Sookdang, 65 years old, regularly participates in local campaigns and activities to protect community resources, improve livelihoods and support income generation. Originally from Uttaradit province, Kanit has lived in the community for 45 years and has contributed towards planting mangroves to defend her home against rising seas. Despite moving her house over 500 meters inland five times, she still faces the relentless waves and storms that are now becoming more frequent. Sleepless nights fueled her determination to inspire others in her community to take action and promote mangroves restoration. She is leading an initiative to register the area as a mangrove community forest with the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR).
Currently, Kanit is the leader of the natural dyeing group, a village committee member, a leading representative of the elderly group, and a member of the school committee. More recently, Kanit was elected by villagers to serve as a Vice President of Khlong Prasong Community Forest Group, an honorable position where she seeks to represent a women’s voices towards conservation. Kanit believes that:
“Demonstrating our efforts and involvement in positive changes can truly inspire others. When other people see our contribution and achievements, they are more likely to follow our leadership.”
Wanida Boonyanan, 31 years old, was born in Khlong Prasong and has long admired Kanit’s dedication and commitment to community work and mangroves restoration. She has a strong desire to contribute to the community and hopes to inspire future generations to carry on Kanit’s leadership. Wanida is recognised by community elders as being outspoken and confident. As a consequence, she has been appointed as a committee member of the community forest group and holds various responsibilities, such as secretariat and administrative roles. She has gained acceptance and trust within the community and from various organizations.
As community-based tourism in Khlong Prasong continues to flourish, attracting visitors from outside, Wanida has been a key driver in fostering local involvement in forest conservation and increasing awareness on resource management to benefit the community. Through this initiative, Wanida aims to ensure a sustainable livelihood for villagers, all while adhering to regulated guidelines and safeguarding biodiversity.
Reflecting on her approach to gaining community trust to achieve her goals, Wanida emphasizes that:
“To boost our power, we set ambitious goals clearly. By aiming far ahead, we’ll be able to overlook obstacles and remain undeterred. This helps prevent discouragement and propels us towards our goals. Remember, everyone is capable of doing this.”
Somsri Phewdee, 53 years old, was born and raised in Khlong Prasong. She is known as a strong advocate for gender equality through her resilience and compassion. Despite being a woman she tackles tasks typically seen as ‘men’s works’, such as roadside grass cutting. From her personal experience of being neglected by aid agencies after the tsunami in 2005, she entered local politics and became a member of the Sub-district Administration Organization in order to represent her community, ensuring that their needs were always addressed.
Over two decades, Somsri has gained the trust of Khlong Prasong community members through her dedicated service, repeatedly earning her place in local elections. Her actions speak volumes, demonstrating her commitment to the community’s well-being, advocating for inclusivity and empowering women in the community. She reiterates:
“Empowering ourselves starts with acknowledging our identity as women. Let’s embrace our strength and use it to uplift others who may be facing challenges. Together, we can make a difference and support each other through it all.”
These women in Khlong Prasong are symbols of women’s leadership within their community. They proactively engaged in conservation efforts, demonstrating leadership by participating in the community forest group and leading advocacy campaigns all while collaborating effectively with men. Together, they emphasize the importance of enhancing Khlong Prasong’s mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of all.
The Knowledge for Development Foundation (K4D) is implementing the Mangroves for Coastal Resilience Initiative in Southern Thailand, in partnership with EnLive Foundation, which aims to conduct a coastal and riparian stakeholder mapping in order to enhance evidence-based policy advocacy to strengthen the governance structures and tenure rights of communities who rely on mangrove areas for their livelihoods. This initiative is supported by Landesa and Data for Development Network of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
Follow K4D on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for more posts during the celebration of International Women’s Day.
Published by