"Ideally one day,  men and women should be
able to help one another doing household
chores, since both have to work outside to
make ends meet.  Men would not be excused
to read the newspaper while the wife toils
over the housework.  There would no longer
be the argument about who is superior and
who is subordinate.  Both would be equal." ¹
 
 

        When Prae Pan first opened their store, the women were timid and scared.  When customers entered their shop the women would scurry to the back, afraid to deal with them.  In the villages when a "government official came to town, the women would run away," noted a villager.  Today Prae Pan is one of the strongest organizations involved in the Handicraft Center for Northeast Women's Development Network (NWD).  The members of Prae Pan have been transformed from scared village women into strong, confident, proud shop owners.  The cooperative is run and managed solely by villagers.  Today these once timid women are the ones seeking out other groups, encouraging the growth of women's organizations and promoting handicrafts in Isaan.  A Prae Pan member noted, "Now we can talk to them (the government officials), go to meetings and even be speakers."

        The women of Prae Pan are equally contributing to the loosening of traditional gender roles within the household.  Prae Pan is multifaceted.  They not only focus on weaving, but also on improving villager's knowledge on women in politics, the new constitution and women's role within the village.  In 1997, women started playing a larger role within their communities.  Now they are the ones coming up with new ideas and the men are actually listening.  They even encourage women to run for local office.  Members of Prae Pan participate in various study tours where they are not only trying to improve their organization, but also encouraging and educating other women's groups about politics, organization, and natural dyes.  They are passing on the knowledge they have acquired in order to help other groups like the NGO's who helped them.

        What was once viewed as women's work has been opened up to men.   Men are currently taking an active role in almost every part of the weaving process: building looms, spinning the thread, making dyes, dyeing the thread, and filling the spools.  The women of Prae Pan believe that men's involvement in the weaving process is important.  Men are able to obtain a greater understanding of activities women participate in, as well as knowledge in something that was once considered only women's work.  Active involvement from both parties during the weaving process promotes a more equal distribution of household chores.   "Previously, husbands seldom offered any help to their wives particularly regarding household chores and caring of children.  Now, recognizing the productive activities of their wives...the strong grip of traditionally upheld sexual divisions of labour begins to loosen." ²

        Weaving has become the main source of income for many of the families involved in Prae Pan.  Traditional women's work is now supporting over 250 families.  Before, many  villagers were forced to leave their homes and migrate into the cities in search of work.   Today the members of Prae Pan are proud to be able to keep their families together.  Very few families involved with the cooperative find it necessary to migrate into the cities anymore.  Working out of their homes, caring for their families and building the role of women in the villages are positive things that women of Prae Pan have achieved.  One villager noted, "If we compare the last few years, we are making a lot of progress. Men are accepting more and more."

 
In addition they have:
     - gained courage, confidence, and power to deal with the outside world
     - raised villagers' awareness to issues such as women in politics, the new
       constitution, upcoming elections and equal opportunities
     - trained in marketing, accounting, dealing with middle men
     - improved weaving techniques, natural dyes, and other vocational skills
     - provided an avenue allowing women to make a regular income
     - funded their children's education
     - encouraged member to run for sub district elections
     - organized study tours not only to better the cooperatives weaving
       techniques, but as speakers to other women's groups to help others become
       equally strong
     - transferred experiences to the younger generation, not only regarding weaving
       but also running the store