Northern Thai women have long been portrayed as subservient, delicate, beautiful - an ideal housewife in a patriarchal society. But they are no less active in politics and society than men. The region has a history of women being at the forefront of the struggle for human rights, and following the 2023 general election, five of Chiang Mai's 10 MPs are women. However, some obstacles still remain.

<p>On 4 February, Protection International (PI) launched the &ldquo;Art for Resistance: Quilt of Women Human Rights Defenders&rdquo; exhibition of 54 quilts by 52 women and 2 men human rights defenders from all over Thailand, at the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC).</p>