Voices from Women in 8 Districts: Building a Strong Network for Sustainable Growth

In the first year of the women’s network-building in 8 districts of Chiang Rai Province under the B.O.L.D. – Policy project funded by European Union (EU), over 402 women came together to fully develop their skills and potential. These women come from various regional, social, educational and economical backgrounds, from the ages of 25 to 60. The focus was on ensuring that everyone understood their rights and relevant laws, while also building confidence in public speaking. This was achieved through training them to become powerful communicators and female leaders ready to drive change in their communities.

The activities organized during this project provided an opportunity to listen to the voices of women from 8 networks, who play a crucial role in driving community change. They reflected on the successes achieved, along with valuable recommendations that serve as key guidelines for strengthening the network in the future.

Successful Outcomes:

1. Building Network, Knowledge and Cooperation- The activities organized with women from 8 districts have strengthened the network and enhanced the understanding of women’s rights and roles in society. The result was increased collaboration between communities and a collective shift in attitudes towards women’s involvement in various issues, particularly social and economic matters.
2. Developing Local Leaders- The project focused on strengthening leadership skills for women in the community, particularly in essential areas like communication, problem-solving, and driving community change. These skills are crucial in helping women express themselves confidently and lead their communities toward improvement.
   Strengthening communication skills enabled women to speak up and voice their opinions confidently, especially in public spaces. This empowered them to play an important role in decision-making and community development. Furthermore, developing problem-solving skills helped women handle challenging situations and propose creative solutions to issues in their communities.
   An important achievement was the active participation of women in district-level governance structures, such as joining committees on quality of life development, which play a key role in community development. Being part of these committees allowed women to have a voice in decisions concerning community development, public health, education, and social issues. Their involvement in these committees allowed them to promote change from within and set a positive example of capable and empowered leadership.
   Developing local leaders not only provides women with leadership skills but also ensures that communities can develop sustainably, with women as essential drivers of effective change.
3. Enhancing Accessibility to Resources and Opportunities- The networks between women from different districts not only connected women across various areas but also created channels for sharing resources, information, and opportunities that women in some communities otherwise would not be able to access on their own. Sharing insights on training, skill development, and even funding access helped women grow and develop to their full potential.

These networks not only provided opportunities for women to exchange experiences and learn from each other but also enabled them to access and use the resources necessary for personal and family development, such as education, public speaking, and new career opportunities. This will contribute to women achieving economic security and sustainability in the long run.

Recommendations from Women in the Network:

1. Increasing Training and Life Skills Activities- Women in the network proposed organizing more training and activities to enhance life skills, such as financial management, healthcare, and work-related skills that could help generate income for their families.
2. Promoting Access to Information and Basic Rights- Many women suggested that the network should provide activities to inform them about their rights, such as access to protection services in cases of violence, labor rights, and healthcare rights. This would allow women to fully utilize their rights.
3. Expanding the Network to Remote Areas and National Networks- Women from some districts strongly recommended expanding the network to cover remote rural areas and groups that have limited access to resources and infrastructure, such as ethnic minorities. To ensure these women receive full support and can contribute to driving change with their full potential. Expanding the network to remote areas not only enhances knowledge and skills for women in those regions and communities but also unites efforts to create sustainable change.

Expanding the network nationally to new districts is another important step in strengthening the learning process and supporting collaboration at a more powerful level. Connecting these networks at all levels will not only help us grow but also build strength and sustainability, ensuring the Women’s Network continues to grow steadily and sustainably in the future.

Disclaimer: This website article is funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Center for Girls Foundation and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

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