Collective Resilience: Gender Dynamics and Adaptation to Climate Change in Isan Region, Thailand

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a significant global challenge, particularly for vulnerable groups in developing countries. In Thailand, rural women in the northeastern (Isan) region play a pivotal role in their village livelihoods and climate change adaptation strategies. However, their voices and contributions are often marginalised in policy and decision-making processes. This thesis examines the factors influencing women’s adaptation to climate change, including their perceptions and strategies, with the aim of enhancing the engagement of local villagers, particularly women, in climate change adaptation initiatives.

Drawing on critical theory and the Participatory Action Research (PAR) framework, a mixed-methods study was conducted across two villages over five phases of the research process. The NVivo thematic coding system was utilised to analyse the dynamics of women’s roles in climate change adaptation within these rural villages.

Five key themes emerged from the thematic analysis: economic challenges; social dynamics and gendered roles in community development; resource management; climate perceptions and adaptive capacity; and collective resilience. Economic challenges, social dynamics and gendered roles in community development and resource management influenced the responses of local women to climate change. Women developed adaptive strategies grounded in generational knowledge and shaped by their perceptions and experiences of climate change. This was reflected in their positive sentiments when discussing successful initiatives and in the negative emotions they expressed when addressing challenges. The vital role of women as leaders and income earners within their villages underscores their function as agents of change. The findings suggest that empowering women in decision-making processes could amplify their voices, fostering collective responses based on the resilience inherent in each village, which were reflected in community forest conservation and maintaining agricultural practices.

This study contributes to the growing body of literature on the intersection of gender and climate change, offering insights into adaptive responses specifically tailored for women. It emphasises the necessity of promoting transformative climate change adaptation. The research advocates for inclusive policy measures that enhance women’s agency, support community-based capacity building and resilience, and incorporate gender-responsive strategies into local and national adaptation initiatives.