Gender Equity Policy and Participation in Hazardous Substance Management: A Case Study of Siting the Coal Storage and Size Separation Area

Abstract

     This qualitative study examined the gender equity policy of Thailand and its implementation in the participation of hazardous substance management, especially concerning the siting of the coal storage and size separation area in a case study of Chanong Sub-district, Chana District, Songkhla Province, Thailand. Finally, attitude on the present and future role of female was investigated. The data collection involved the literature reviewed from the secondary data, in-depth interviews that were selected by purposive sampling and snowball sampling, with field notes and voice-recordings during the interviews, observations and digital camera recordings. The in-depth interview data were analysed by case records and triangulated with all collected data to evaluate the validity. The study found that females and males were entitled to be equal in the participation of the hazardous substance management. However, the female and male participation was inequitable in the hazardous substance management in two stages of practice. Stage 1 was the siting of the coal storage and size separation area. It was found that males participated in the project. To the contrary, the females did not participate at all. Stage 2 involved public receiving information to revise the decision-making. It was found that females participated in receiving information from the project owner and sharing their opinions with others. Recommendations were as follows: The Muslim females could discuss the hazardous substance management with their husbands or their household heads at home and females should be eager to express their views in a public place, more than at present. In addition, there should be an accepted local representative to provide the information for the non-participants. Moreover, both female and male should have participated in all levels and throughout the process.