The future of women's and gender studies programs : challenges, responses, and opportunities in Japan and Thailand | |
| Author | Arakawa, Taiki |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-25-05 |
| Subject(s) | Women's studies--Thailand Women's studies--Japan Neoliberalism |
| Note | A thesis submitted in patial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | This study addresses the growing concerns about the sustainability and societal role of Women’s and Gender Studies (WGS) programs. Despite global debates on anti-gender movements and neoliberalism, little research has focused on how these challenges affect WGS programs in Asian settings. This study aims to understand how WGS programs in Japan and Thailand are changing under such conditions and how people involved in the programs respond. This research is based on 18 in-depth interviews with faculty, students, and alumni from three selected universities, as well as four key informant interviews with gender-related experts from both academic and civic backgrounds. Findings show that there are no strong direct attacks on WGS programs in either country. However, both programs are facing indirect pressure. In Japan, growing anti-transgender ideas and neoliberal women’s policies are considered major challenges. In Thailand, WGS programs face structural challenges such as public misunderstanding, limited Thai-language academic resources, and financial constraints. In both countries, neoliberal policies such as semi-autonomization of national/private universities have affected higher education. Under these influences, WGS programs are often pushed to match with market needs, which may reduce its critical academic role. WGS programs continue to offer important safe learning spaces and promote social justice. This study makes several recommendations such as expanding access to WGS education, localizing knowledge, reforming curriculum content, and strengthening alumni and transnational academic networks. By highlighting how WGS programs in Japan and Thailand navigate complex academic and political environments, this study provides further relevance in the context of the global rise of conservative ideologies and increasing challenges to gender equality in both policy and public discourse. |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko |
| Examination Committee(s) | Duanghathai Buranajaroenkij;Tsusaka, Takuji W. |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Thai Pipe Scholarship;AIT Scholarship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |