THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PARTICIPATORY LEARNING AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT: A CASE STUDY OF BANG KHURAT SUBDISTRICT, BANG BUA THONG DISTRICT, NONTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This research aimed to: (1) examine the level of participatory learning among women in Bang Khurat Subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province; (2) examine the level of women’s empowerment; and (3) examine the relationship between participatory learning and women’s empowerment. This quantitative study included 172 women aged 20 years and over who resided in Bang Khurat Subdistrict, Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province. The sample size was determined using Yamane’s formula. Participants were selected by purposive sampling according to predetermined inclusion criteria. The research instrument was a five-point rating-scale questionnaire with an overall Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.884. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient. The findings revealed that: (1) the overall level of participatory learning was high (x̄ = 4.13, S.D. = 0.32). Participation in activities had the highest mean score, followed by knowledge sharing and reflective learning, participation in idea generation, participation in decision-making, and participation in evaluation; (2) the overall level of women’s empowerment was high (x̄ = 4.12, S.D. = 0.25). Occupational knowledge and skills had the highest mean score, followed by self-reliance and decision-making, self-confidence and leadership, social participation, and household economic management; and (3) participatory learning was positively correlated with women’s empowerment at the .05 level of statistical significance (r = 0.260, p = .001), indicating a low positive relationship. Participation in decision-making, participation in activities, participation in evaluation, and knowledge sharing and reflective learning were significantly and positively related to women’s empowerment, whereas participation in idea generation was not significantly related to women’s empowerment. These findings indicate that promoting participatory learning-particularly meaningful participation in decision-making, community activities, evaluation, and knowledge-sharing processes-may support women’s empowerment and strengthen sustainable community development.

Keywords: Participatory Learning, Women’s Empowerment, Community Participation, Bang Khurat Subdistrict