lao conference ppt-women fisher
TRANSCRIPT
Participation of Women Fishers in Village Fishery Management on the Sekong River
Charlotte Moser
4th International Conference on Lao Studies
University of WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin
April 19, 2013
Attapeu Province, southern Lao PDR
• 6 study villages, February 2013
Sekong River- A transboundary river that starts in Viet Nam, flows SW across southern Lao, crosses into Cambodia where it joins Sesan and Srepok Rivers before emptying into the Mekong River.
Sekong River Water QualityInland Fisheries – Low priority for Lao PDR government Fisheries GDP was 6.8% compared to agricultural GDP of 46% (2005) Wild catch fisheries support the poorest people in Lao, including ethnic
people River mining and erosion are altering deep pools needed for migrating fish to
spawn, leading to a dramatic decline in fish stock and species varieties Few government resources are dedicated to protecting water qualityNutrition Malnutrition is pervasive in Sekong Basin 37% of children are underweight; 40% are stunted
Health hazards Contaminated drinking water has led cholera and other water-borne illnesses Malaria is widespread
Role of women in Lao PDR• 1955 - Lao Women’s Union founded to
mobilize women for the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party
• 1975 – LWU re-focuses on promoting gender norms and loyalty to Lao PDR
• 1995 - UN 4th World Conference on Women, Beijing
• 2011 – MDG Gender Equality: LWU advocates more women as village chiefs
Beijing Action for Women in Environment• Integrate into decision-making• Gender concerns in development policies• Strengthen assessment mechanism for
women in environment
Lao Women Fish in Wetlands Fishing in ponds, streams, rainy
season rice fields is ‘for women only’ More often use smaller, more
traditional tools and techniques Women fish 1-2 times per day for
family consumption
Importance of Wetland Catch Wetland catch is as important
nutritionally to Sekong families as river fish
As fish stock declines on rivers, dependency on other aquatic animals for food is increasing
Rainfed water sources provide safer water for human and livestock consumption than the river
• The role and nutritional value of aquatic resources in livelihoods of rural Attapeu
Findings from Research Women spend 7 hours per
day fishing alone in wetlands or assisting husbands on rivers. Men fish 6 hours per day.
Men travel further for better fishing grounds. Women find wetlands food for families.
Women manage riverbank farming in dry season and in rice paddies during the rainy season.
Findings from Research Women manage household
finances and sell fish in local markets but don’t have access to wholesale fish marketers.
Labor ‘stickiness’ is high in fishing villages due to strong roots in the community and family traditions.
Women’s training options are pre-determined, focused on aquaculture.
Community Fishery Management2009 – Lao PDR adopts its first Fisheries Law
Fish Conservation Zones – WWF32 FCZs on Sekong River
Co-managed community fisheries- Ban on illegal fishing practices
Lao Women in Fishery Management Women are thought unsuitable
for leadership roles
Women lack technical know-how about fishery management
Women lack confidence to speak up in front of men
Women have too many household responsibilities
Husbands do not support
Resilience Paradigm
Fish stock declines as river deteriorates due to economic development
Poverty, malnutrition increase in fishing villages where traditional lifestyles are threatened
To avoid ecosystem collapse, build flexibility into system by providing avenues for ‘feedback loops’ to adjust to change
Close the 20-Year Gap:Meet the Beijing Action Plan by 2015
Decision-Making: Build on LWU program to increase participation of women in village management, including fisheries
Policies: Integrate women fishers, wetlands and local knowledge in 2009 Fisheries Law
Assessment: Provide training for women fishers to fill research gaps, such as monitoring bio-indicators of Sekong water
Economic options: Increase access to markets and financial management
