Empowerment Amongst Indigenous Women in Thailand

This collaborative project between the University of Michigan (U-M), Michigan State University (MSU), and global partners aimed to explore the unique dimensions of women's empowerment and its relationship to health among indigenous, ethnic minority women in the highlands of Thailand. Conducting in-depth ethnographic studies, the initiative sought to better understand how these women conceptualize empowerment, exercise agency in healthcare, and navigate the impact of their Indigenous status on health outcomes. By partnering with local NGOs and universities, the project trained local researchers to collect qualitative data and develop culturally appropriate assessments, with joint efforts leading to the creation of a conceptual framework for future quantitative tools and interventions to boost empowerment and health outcomes. The expected outcomes for the project included the establishment of a multi-disciplinary, international research team, the training of indigenous women scholars, and the creation of a replicable model for understanding empowerment in marginalized communities.