IWAD - สมาคมผู้หญิงชนเผ่าเพื่อการพัฒนา

The Indigenous Women’s Association for Development (IWAD) is an Indigenous women-led organization dedicated to promoting the rights, leadership, and well-being of Indigenous women and girls in Thailand. The foundation of IWAD dates back to 1993, when the Indigenous Women’s Network of Thailand was established. The network was created to integrate a gender perspective into development projects and p

olicies affecting Indigenous communities, ensuring that the specific roles, knowledge, and challenges of Indigenous women were recognized and addressed. From the beginning, the movement was led by Indigenous women themselves, working to make their voices visible and influential at both community and policy levels. In 2003, the organization became an independent Indigenous women’s organization and expanded its work nationwide. It clearly positioned itself as an Indigenous women’s rights organization, focusing on promoting gender equality, strengthening women’s leadership, supporting community development, and protecting cultural identity. However, the name “Indigenous Women’s Network” was a general name that was also used by various Indigenous women’s groups. To establish a clearer organizational identity and formal status, the organization officially registered in May 2024 and changed its name to the Indigenous Women’s Association for Development (IWAD). This transition marked an important milestone, strengthening its legal recognition and reinforcing its distinct identity as a national Indigenous women-led organization. Today, IWAD works at the community, national, and international levels to empower Indigenous women, youth, older persons, and Indigenous persons with disabilities; strengthen community resilience; and advocate for inclusive and sustainable development that respects Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and ways of life.