Page 56 - งานเชิดชูเกียรติผู้หญิงนักปกป้องสิทธิมนุษยชน วันสตรีสากล 2562

The Hmong Women’s Network in Thailand reviewed the
information they learned ten years ago by conducting research studies
with support from the Women’s Health Plan and Sexual Justice from
the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (SSO). They discovered that
stigmatization against single/divorced women can be combatted through
“Phum Rituals”. Networking with senior men who are ritual leaders
can be instrumental in getting families and communities to reintegrate
stigmatized women. Including the father in the reintegration process
can also help facilitate changes in traditional attitudes and mainstream
gender equality for Hmong women while adhering to principles of
non-violence.
In 2015 - 2016, the research team conducted a study of the
Hmong community problems in various areas. There has been widespread
criticism of the patriarchal orientation of Hmong society that makes
it difficult for women speak up about abuses or express themselves
openly. The first stage of the project was met by warning from leaders
who urged others not to take the stand, invoking the Thai proverb
that says ‘’Do not bring a buffalo into the community and do not take
a cow out of community”. Essentially, do not bring a problem into
the community, and do not tell others about problems within the
community.

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