The research collective from CARE International in Lao PDR, WWF-Laos, and The Gender Development Association (GDA) are pleased to announce the official launch of the research study "Climate Change and Gender-Based Violence in Lao PDR: Report from the Pilot Study in Phongsaly and Xayabouly Provinces”. This study explores the interconnections between climate change and gender-based violence (GBV) in the context of Laos and offers critical insights into the role of sustainable development policy and programming.
- Conducted through a community-based participatory action research approach, the study used innovative methodologies to explore the link between climate change and gender-based violence (GBV) in Laos.
- The report reveals how climate change exacerbates GBV through harmful gender norms, social hierarchies, and resource conflicts.
- Climate policies, such as those linked to biodiversity loss and agricultural expansion, have the potential to leave vulnerable communities at greater risk.
- Inclusive, community-led interventions are crucial for building resilience, addressing inequalities, and reducing GBV.
“As the world's largest conservation organization, WWF prioritizes inclusivity and the integration of communities and minority groups as fundamental approaches to ensuring the protection and restoration of ecosystems. We recognize the importance of amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable segments of society and the critical process of consulting and respecting their perspectives,” said Loris Palentini, Country Director of WWF-Laos. “This is central to the FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent) process we apply to every community we engage and partner with in Lao PDR, as well as many other countries. We continue to ensure that none of our activities, nor those implemented by our partners, harm any beneficiaries, especially women and girls.”
Conducted using a community-based, participatory action research approach, this groundbreaking study was led by CARE International in Lao PDR and WWF-Laos, using methodologies developed in cooperation with the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI) in Asia and in collaboration with GDA. The research aimed to uncover the systemic drivers of GBV through the interconnected lenses of climate justice, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental conservation. Four villages—Dan and Paksong in Xayabouly Province, and Yangtuey and Omphia in Phongsaly Province—were selected for this pilot study.
Mrs. Keoamphone Souvannaphoum, Country Director of CARE International in Lao PDR, stated "The findings from this study highlight the critical need for integrating gender equality into climate action. We must recognize that the effects of climate change disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, particularly women and marginalized groups and that addressing this issue is essential for achieving true sustainable development."
Key Findings:
- Climate and Policy Impacts: Climate change, compounded by gender-blind or neutral climate policies, negatively affects natural resources and agriculture, particularly for resource-dependent communities. Mitigation measures like forest management and intensified agriculture often limit resource access, exacerbating resource conflicts.
- Gendered Effects: The study reveals a significant gap in gender-specific targets within climate policies. Women, gender-diverse groups, and ethnic minorities are largely excluded from decision-making processes, leaving their voices unheard in addressing environmental challenges.
- Factors Perpetuating GBV: Societal structures and harmful gender norms often justify and normalize GBV. Domestic violence is frequently seen as a cultural norm rather than a critical social issue. A lack of support services and the social stigma surrounding GBV further perpetuate a culture of silence, discouraging survivors from seeking justice.
- Inequality and Resource Conflicts: Resource conflicts are often attributed to human error, ignoring the deeper role of economic policies in creating resource scarcity. These conflicts disproportionately affect women and marginalized groups, heightening their vulnerability to GBV.
