The evolution of women’s civil society organizations in the Deep South of Thailand

Abstract

Since violent conflict escalated in Thailand’s Deep South in 2004, women’s groups have contributed to addressing societal issues in the form of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). However, women have also carried the burden of the prolonged impact of the conflict. By applying the theoretical approach of historical institutionalism at the macro level and the feminist analysis at the micro level, this study seeks to investigate the institutional evolution of women’s CSOs that gradually developed from 2004 to 2020. This study drew on empirical evidence from ten local CSOs working on women’s issues. It found significant factors that have contributed to the institutionalization of women’s CSOs as change agents for peacebuilding. These factors include historical legacy, critical juncture, path dependence, and the involvement of specific actors and events. This study argues that violent conflict in 2004 became a critical juncture that catalyzed the rise of women’s CSOs in terms of more proactive engagement in society. At the same time, women’s CSOs’ main agendas were gradually shifted from victims’ restoration projects to larger gender-based agendas of empowerment and peace initiatives. Over the past sixteen years, women’s CSOs have a path toward institutional change moving from informal to formal contributions to peacebuilding.