THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL POLITICS OF WOMEN IN WANGPHANG SUB-DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY, WIANGNONGLONG DISTRICT, LAMPHUN PROVINCE

Abstract

The objectives of this study were 1) to study the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province, 2) to compare the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province, classified by personal factors, 3) to study the problems, obstacles, and suggestions regarding the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province, and 4) to apply the principle of Aparihāniyadhamma to the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province.

The research employed mixed-method research. The population consisted of 3,251 women who lived in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality and had the right to vote. The sample size was determined using the Krejcie and Morgan table, resulting in 348 participants. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed by a computer program for social science research. The statistical methods used for data analysis included frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation. Hypothesis testing was conducted using the F-test and one-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA), and pairwise differences were examined using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) method. For the open-ended questions concerning problems, obstacles, and suggestions, the researcher grouped the responses according to the issues specified in the questionnaire and analyzed them using frequency distribution. Data obtained from interviews were grouped according to the main issues of the interviews and analyzed using content analysis.

The results showed that:

1. 
   

   The participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province, was overall at a moderate level (X = 2.51).

   
   


2. 
   

   The comparison of the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province, classified by personal factors, including age, educational background, occupation, and income, revealed that age and educational background were not significantly different, whereas occupation and income were significantly different at the 0.01 level. Therefore, the hypotheses concerning age and educational background were rejected, while the hypotheses concerning occupation and income were accepted.

   
   


3. 
   

   The results concerning the problems, obstacles, and suggestions regarding the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality, Wiang Nong Long District, Lamphun Province, revealed that some women did not give sufficient importance to participation in local politics because, according to rural traditions and customs, women were often expected to take a subordinate role. Their opinions and expressions were sometimes constrained by beliefs passed down from previous generations. Some people believed that women were unable to perform certain political roles, resulting in limited roles for women in local politics. In local elections, community members tended not to recognize the importance of women, while candidate selection was often influenced by local leaders who recruited or nominated candidates, particularly those who were close to them or shared common interests. Women should therefore pay greater attention to political participation and demonstrate greater assertiveness on an equal basis with men in order to gain recognition as local leaders, while applying both the strengths and weaknesses identified to improve women's political participation.

   
   


4. 
   

   The application of the principle of Aparihāniyadhamma to the participation in local politics of women in Wangpang Sub-District Municipality revealed that most key informants emphasized providing opportunities as an important means of promoting women's participation in local politics. This indicated that women's participation in local politics could be promoted by providing opportunities for all sectors of the local community to participate. Work should be carried out with unity and mutual recognition, with everyone performing their duties responsibly to prevent shortcomings. Operations should be conducted fairly and cooperatively, with harmony among members of the working group, without separating people according to gender, for the benefit of the community.