WATER, GENDER & WATER, GENDER & MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT MILLENIUM DEVELOPMENT

GOALS: PROGRESS AND GOALS: PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES IN THE CHALLENGES IN THE LAO PDR CONTEXTLAO PDR CONTEXT

Context and Relevance of Context and Relevance of Water-Gender Linkages to Water-Gender Linkages to Achieving MDGsAchieving MDGs

Important to note that ‘gender’ means both females and Important to note that ‘gender’ means both females and males, while recognizing that women tend to be more males, while recognizing that women tend to be more disadvantageddisadvantaged

Poor households rely disproportionately on natural Poor households rely disproportionately on natural resources and the environment for their livelihoods and resources and the environment for their livelihoods and incomeincome

The poor are more vulnerable to human-caused hydrological The poor are more vulnerable to human-caused hydrological changes as well as natural disasters such as droughts and changes as well as natural disasters such as droughts and floods and to the ongoing impacts of climate changefloods and to the ongoing impacts of climate change

On a broader scale, natural resources such as fisheries play On a broader scale, natural resources such as fisheries play a larger role in the national income and wealth of less a larger role in the national income and wealth of less developed economiesdeveloped economies

The contribution of water resources to poverty reduction and The contribution of water resources to poverty reduction and human well-being can be expressed through the lens of the human well-being can be expressed through the lens of the MDGsMDGs

Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goals1.1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hungerEradicate extreme poverty and hunger2.2. Achieve universal primary educationAchieve universal primary education3.3. Promote gender equality and empower womenPromote gender equality and empower women4.4. Reduce child mortalityReduce child mortality5.5. Improve maternal healthImprove maternal health6.6. Combat HIV / AIDS, malaria, and other Combat HIV / AIDS, malaria, and other

diseasesdiseases7.7. Ensure environmental sustainabilityEnsure environmental sustainability8.8. Develop a global partnership for developmentDevelop a global partnership for development

ALL DEPEND IN SOME MANNER ON ALL DEPEND IN SOME MANNER ON WATER FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENT!WATER FOR THEIR ACHIEVEMENT!

For example…For example…MDG 2 & 3 – MDG 2 & 3 – Gender and Gender and EducationEducation Environmental degradation contributes to an increased Environmental degradation contributes to an increased

burden on women and children (especially girls) in terms burden on women and children (especially girls) in terms of the time required to collect water and fuel wood, of the time required to collect water and fuel wood, reducing the time they have available for education or reducing the time they have available for education or income-generating activitiesincome-generating activities

Another example…Another example…MDG 4, 5 & 6 – Gender & MDG 4, 5 & 6 – Gender & HealthHealth

Up to a quarter of the burden of disease worldwide is linked Up to a quarter of the burden of disease worldwide is linked to environmental factors – primarily polluted air and water, to environmental factors – primarily polluted air and water, lack of sanitation and vector-borne diseases; lack of sanitation and vector-borne diseases; measures to measures to prevent damage to health from environmental causes are prevent damage to health from environmental causes are as important, and often more cost-effective, than treatment as important, and often more cost-effective, than treatment of the resulting illnessesof the resulting illnesses

Water- and sanitation-related diseases (such as diarrhoea) Water- and sanitation-related diseases (such as diarrhoea) are one of the leading causes of under-five child mortalityare one of the leading causes of under-five child mortality

Damage to women’s health from carrying heavy loads of Damage to women’s health from carrying heavy loads of water can make women less fit for childbirth and at greater water can make women less fit for childbirth and at greater risk of complications during pregnancyrisk of complications during pregnancy

Malaria, an annual killer of an estimated 1 million children Malaria, an annual killer of an estimated 1 million children under age five worldwide, may be exacerbated as a result under age five worldwide, may be exacerbated as a result of poor water managementof poor water management

Welcome to Lao PDRWelcome to Lao PDR

But the country faces numerous challengesBut the country faces numerous challenges: (i) a mainly : (i) a mainly agricultural economy surrounded by rapidly industrializing agricultural economy surrounded by rapidly industrializing neighbors; (ii) an increasingly young population with limited neighbors; (ii) an increasingly young population with limited education and skills; (iii) mountainous and sparsely populated education and skills; (iii) mountainous and sparsely populated areas beyond the reach of basic services and infrastructure; (iv) areas beyond the reach of basic services and infrastructure; (iv) mounting pressure on fragile forest and water resources; and (v) mounting pressure on fragile forest and water resources; and (v) limited national and local government capacity to raise limited national and local government capacity to raise revenues, to implement policies, and to enforce laws and revenues, to implement policies, and to enforce laws and regulationsregulations

Lao PDR is a small country in Lao PDR is a small country in the heart of the GMSthe heart of the GMS

Population of 6.21 million Population of 6.21 million (2008), including a diversity (2008), including a diversity of ethnic groupsof ethnic groups

The country is well endowed The country is well endowed with natural resources and with natural resources and biodiversitybiodiversity

Socio-economic Socio-economic DevelopmentDevelopment

Lao PDR is classified as a Lao PDR is classified as a least developed countryleast developed country in terms of in terms of annual per capita income, human development and economic annual per capita income, human development and economic vulnerabilityvulnerability

Human development indicators have however been improving with Human development indicators have however been improving with Lao PDR now being ranked as a Lao PDR now being ranked as a medium human developmentmedium human development countrycountry

The Lao economy grew steadily through the 1990s with growth The Lao economy grew steadily through the 1990s with growth accelerating over the last decade; allowing for substantial accelerating over the last decade; allowing for substantial reduction in the poverty rate in urban areas but has had less reduction in the poverty rate in urban areas but has had less impact on poverty in remote provincesimpact on poverty in remote provinces

The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) The National Growth and Poverty Eradication Strategy (NGPES) from 2003 was from 2003 was intended to bring about better progress in reducing intended to bring about better progress in reducing povertypoverty

The NGPES includes poverty-focused action plans for four key The NGPES includes poverty-focused action plans for four key sectors – agriculture / forestry, education, health, and transport, sectors – agriculture / forestry, education, health, and transport, and additionally sets out inter-sectoral priorities for gender equity and additionally sets out inter-sectoral priorities for gender equity and environmental conservationand environmental conservation

Human Development Human Development Indicators for Lao PDR – Indicators for Lao PDR – Improving But FragileImproving But Fragile

Indicator 1990 2002

Population 4.14 million 5.53 million

Population growth (annual %) 2.1% 2.8%

Real GDP per capita US$271 US$331

Poverty (% population under national poverty line) 48% 39%

Poverty gap ratio 12% 10%

Ratio of girls to boys in primary & secondary school

81 (2000) 86 (2007

Net primary enrollment ratio 58% 80%

Youth literacy rate (age 15-24) 70.1% 78.5%

Infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births) 134 82

Under-5 morality rate (per 1,000 live births) 170 106

Maternal mortality (per 100,000 live births) 750 530

Access to safe drinking water (% population) 28% 58.1

Gender Equality in Lao PDRGender Equality in Lao PDR The 1991 Constitution The 1991 Constitution

supports equal gender supports equal gender participation in economic, participation in economic, social and political life social and political life

Lao women play Lao women play important roles in important roles in agriculture and fisheries agriculture and fisheries (where women are more (where women are more active than men), small active than men), small scale business, scale business, manufacturing, and manufacturing, and provision of basic provision of basic services (especially services (especially education and health)education and health)

Gender norms differ between urban and rural households Gender norms differ between urban and rural households in terms of division of labour, livelihood activities and in terms of division of labour, livelihood activities and decision makingdecision making

Gender-Processes Affecting Gender-Processes Affecting WomenWomen

Women bear a heavier burden of unpaid family workWomen bear a heavier burden of unpaid family work, , including primary responsibility for nutrition, health and including primary responsibility for nutrition, health and care of their families; poverty threatens their ability to meet care of their families; poverty threatens their ability to meet basic family needsbasic family needs

Recent national household survey confirmed that Recent national household survey confirmed that Lao Lao women and girls work on average more than one hour women and girls work on average more than one hour more per day than men and boysmore per day than men and boys – the heavy workload on – the heavy workload on women and girls can impair their health and make in more women and girls can impair their health and make in more difficult for girls to attend schooldifficult for girls to attend school

Most remote rural Laos do not have access to essential Most remote rural Laos do not have access to essential health services, with health services, with women being especially women being especially disadvantaged in accessing basic health servicesdisadvantaged in accessing basic health services

Female-headed households and children, especially girls, Female-headed households and children, especially girls, in these households are particularly at risk of povertyin these households are particularly at risk of poverty

Health crises can be crippling for poor women and poor Health crises can be crippling for poor women and poor familiesfamilies

Water ResourcesWater Resources Lao PDR is well endowed with water resources, with Lao PDR is well endowed with water resources, with

average surface water volume of 60,307 maverage surface water volume of 60,307 m33 per per person/yearly compared to 6,020 mperson/yearly compared to 6,020 m33 in the East Asia and in the East Asia and Pacific RegionPacific Region

Water is an essential part of the life and culture of the Lao Water is an essential part of the life and culture of the Lao people, and makes an important contribution to the people, and makes an important contribution to the countries socio-economic development goals – countries socio-economic development goals – harnessing of hydropower potential is increasingly harnessing of hydropower potential is increasingly contributing to the economycontributing to the economy

Overall, water demand remains low at roughly 260mOverall, water demand remains low at roughly 260m33 per per person in 2002; water usage is predominantly agricultural person in 2002; water usage is predominantly agricultural 82%, followed by industrial 10% and domestic 8%82%, followed by industrial 10% and domestic 8%

Although Lao PDR has abundant water resources, Although Lao PDR has abundant water resources, development pressures and unsustainable exploitation of development pressures and unsustainable exploitation of water resources Basin-wide has important implications for water resources Basin-wide has important implications for MDG achievementMDG achievement

Example… MDG 7 and National Example… MDG 7 and National Targets on Water and SanitationTargets on Water and Sanitation

MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

Target 10: Halve by 2015 the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water

Indicators:Lao PDR Baseline

Recent Status

2015 Target

30: Proportion of population with sustainable access to an improved water source

28% (1990) 58% (2002) 80%

31a: Proportion of (urban) population with access to improved sanitation

11% (1990) 42% (1998) 70%

Another example… MDG & National Another example… MDG & National Health Targets (Sub-set)Health Targets (Sub-set)

MDG 4: Reduce child mortality

Target 5: Reduce by two-thirds the under-5 mortality rate

Indicators:Lao PDR Baseline

Recent Status

2015 Target

13: Under-5 mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births

170 (1990) 106 (2000) 55

14: Infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 live births)

134 (1990) 82 (2000) 45

MDG 5: Improve maternal health

Target 6: Reduce by three-quarters the maternal mortality rate

16: Maternal mortality ratio (deaths per 100,000 live births)

750 (1990) 530 (2000) 185

Gender Issues in Water & Gender Issues in Water & SanitationSanitation The The gender benefits of improved water supply and gender benefits of improved water supply and

sanitationsanitation are well recognized are well recognized Women and girls in rural Lao PDRWomen and girls in rural Lao PDR, as in most rural , as in most rural

societies, societies, are mainly responsible for collecting water for are mainly responsible for collecting water for household usehousehold use and can spend a substantial amount of time and can spend a substantial amount of time at this task if the local water source is a distance awayat this task if the local water source is a distance away

Women are also primarily responsible for their families’ Women are also primarily responsible for their families’ healthhealth, therefore potable water and sanitation services are , therefore potable water and sanitation services are extremely important in minimizing illnesses from water-extremely important in minimizing illnesses from water-borne diseasesborne diseases

Women’s own healthWomen’s own health also depends on clean water as also depends on clean water as bathing in dirty water increases the risk of reproductive tract bathing in dirty water increases the risk of reproductive tract and other infectionsand other infections

The GoL has made considerable progress in recent years The GoL has made considerable progress in recent years in implementing a community-based, participatory, and in implementing a community-based, participatory, and gender-sensitive approachgender-sensitive approach to rural water supply and to rural water supply and sanitationsanitation

Water Quantity & QualityWater Quantity & Quality Access to safe drinking water sources, particularly in rural Access to safe drinking water sources, particularly in rural

areas, is a crucial consideration for householdsareas, is a crucial consideration for households Reduced dry season river and stream flows can be Reduced dry season river and stream flows can be

problematic, affecting water availability, especially in wells, problematic, affecting water availability, especially in wells, and increasing access timeand increasing access time

Contamination of available water sources is also a concernContamination of available water sources is also a concern; ; although water quality in rivers within Lao PDR and the although water quality in rivers within Lao PDR and the Mekong is considered to be generally good, localized Mekong is considered to be generally good, localized pollution of water sources does occurpollution of water sources does occur

Pressures of rapid demographic growth, socio-economic Pressures of rapid demographic growth, socio-economic development and urbanization are resulting in worsening development and urbanization are resulting in worsening water quality; only 35% of liquid effluent disposal to inland water quality; only 35% of liquid effluent disposal to inland surface waters is currently treatedsurface waters is currently treated

Poor sanitation practices and low awareness of human Poor sanitation practices and low awareness of human health consequences exacerbates problem (e.g., multiple health consequences exacerbates problem (e.g., multiple uses of the same water source for bathing, clothes washing, uses of the same water source for bathing, clothes washing, animal watering and drinking water withdrawals)animal watering and drinking water withdrawals)

Water-Related Human Health Water-Related Human Health ImpactsImpacts

The The quality of surface and quality of surface and groundwater utilized for groundwater utilized for community drinking water community drinking water and other purposes is and other purposes is sometimes poorsometimes poor, leading to , leading to many types of diseases in many types of diseases in both rural and urban areasboth rural and urban areas

The effects of lack of The effects of lack of access to clean water – access to clean water – either surface or either surface or groundwater – are mainly groundwater – are mainly felt at the local level and felt at the local level and particularly affect poor particularly affect poor people in remote areaspeople in remote areas

Example Economic & Human Example Economic & Human CostsCosts In 2006, Lao PDR lost an estimated USD 193 million due to In 2006, Lao PDR lost an estimated USD 193 million due to

poor sanitation and hygiene; equivalent to 5.6% of the GDPpoor sanitation and hygiene; equivalent to 5.6% of the GDP Costs from poor sanitation encompass (i) spending on Costs from poor sanitation encompass (i) spending on

health care, (ii) loss of income or production and time health care, (ii) loss of income or production and time losses associated with disease, and (iii) the value losses associated with disease, and (iii) the value associated with premature loss of lifeassociated with premature loss of life

The majority of higher water access costs attributed to poor The majority of higher water access costs attributed to poor sanitation can be averted, as well as all the access time sanitation can be averted, as well as all the access time costscosts

Non-quantified benefits such as comfort, privacy and Non-quantified benefits such as comfort, privacy and security are important, especially for women and the elderlysecurity are important, especially for women and the elderly

Good latrine access at the workplace and in schools has Good latrine access at the workplace and in schools has implications for implications for female participation in traditionally male-female participation in traditionally male-dominated employment areas and dominated employment areas and has been shown to has been shown to positively affect female enrollment and attendancepositively affect female enrollment and attendance

Fisheries Also Under Fisheries Also Under ThreatThreat

Freshwater resources are increasingly vulnerableFreshwater resources are increasingly vulnerable as a result as a result on increasing pressures on water resources in the GMS; this on increasing pressures on water resources in the GMS; this is worrying given the dependence of many rural communities is worrying given the dependence of many rural communities on wild fisherieson wild fisheries

MDG 1 Poverty & Hunger – MDG 1 Poverty & Hunger – Access to wild fisheriesAccess to wild fisheries and and knowledge of fish farming methods provide rural families with knowledge of fish farming methods provide rural families with an important means to feed themselves and earn moneyan important means to feed themselves and earn money

Fish and other aquatic food sources are a key dietary stable Fish and other aquatic food sources are a key dietary stable for many rural families in Lao PDR, and also an important for many rural families in Lao PDR, and also an important contributor to household incomescontributor to household incomes; these benefits need to be ; these benefits need to be protected if hunger and poverty are to be reduced and the protected if hunger and poverty are to be reduced and the MDG targets metMDG targets met

MDG 2 Education – MDG 2 Education – Income from fisheries provides families Income from fisheries provides families with money for school supplieswith money for school supplies; school attendance is higher ; school attendance is higher among families in which women have an independent income among families in which women have an independent income with these children also tending to eat better and be healthier, with these children also tending to eat better and be healthier, which has a positive effect on school performancewhich has a positive effect on school performance

Water Resources Management Water Resources Management in the MRBin the MRB

The MRB countries are constructing or planning numerous The MRB countries are constructing or planning numerous hydropower dams – including main-stem dams – intended hydropower dams – including main-stem dams – intended to support industrialization and help lift remote areas out of to support industrialization and help lift remote areas out of povertypoverty

Predicted impacts of proposed hydropower development Predicted impacts of proposed hydropower development include changes in river flow volume and timing, water include changes in river flow volume and timing, water quality deterioration, and loss of aquatic and terrestrial quality deterioration, and loss of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversitybiodiversity

Changes in dry season mainstream flows will also Changes in dry season mainstream flows will also adversely affect communities situated along the Mekong adversely affect communities situated along the Mekong River that are dependent on the river to meet their water River that are dependent on the river to meet their water supply needssupply needs – for example, availability of water during the – for example, availability of water during the dry season is important in terms of household access to dry season is important in terms of household access to safe drinking water, and changes in flow levels and safe drinking water, and changes in flow levels and regimes additionally affects cultivation success of riverbank regimes additionally affects cultivation success of riverbank gardensgardens

Hydropower Development in the Hydropower Development in the GMSGMS There are at least 82 existing (or under construction) There are at least 82 existing (or under construction)

large hydropower projects in the GMS, and large hydropower projects in the GMS, and at least a at least a further 179 large projects identifiedfurther 179 large projects identified as potential sites as potential sites

With the exception of 2 existing main-stem dams and With the exception of 2 existing main-stem dams and another large main-stem dam under construction in another large main-stem dam under construction in Yunnan (PRC), existing hydropower dams in the MRB Yunnan (PRC), existing hydropower dams in the MRB (including those under construction) are all situated on (including those under construction) are all situated on tributaries (e.g., the new Nam Theun 2 dam in Lao PDR)tributaries (e.g., the new Nam Theun 2 dam in Lao PDR)

Attention is increasing shifting to development of main-Attention is increasing shifting to development of main-stem damsstem dams, with 11 dams being considered in Lao PDR , with 11 dams being considered in Lao PDR and Cambodia; another 5 main-stem dams are possibly and Cambodia; another 5 main-stem dams are possibly planned in Yunnanplanned in Yunnan

The total proposed main-stem dam development is The total proposed main-stem dam development is alarming in terms of potential resulting environmental alarming in terms of potential resulting environmental and social concernsand social concerns

Hydropower: Costs and Hydropower: Costs and BenefitsBenefits Ill-considered and Ill-considered and

improperly implemented improperly implemented hydropower generation hydropower generation projects have the potential projects have the potential to undermine government to undermine government efforts to achieve MDGsefforts to achieve MDGs

Adverse environmental and Adverse environmental and social impacts of, social impacts of, especially, large dam especially, large dam projects are well understood projects are well understood and must be avoided or and must be avoided or properly mitigatedproperly mitigated

Yet major projects such as the Nam Theun 2 also provide Yet major projects such as the Nam Theun 2 also provide crucial revenues for the Lao PDR government, enabling crucial revenues for the Lao PDR government, enabling increased spending on health, education and environmental increased spending on health, education and environmental programs, including enhanced water supply and sanitation for programs, including enhanced water supply and sanitation for smaller townssmaller towns

Example Environmental Impacts Example Environmental Impacts of Hydropower Projectsof Hydropower Projects

Resettlement causing serious Resettlement causing serious social inequitiessocial inequities

Blocking fish migration leading to Blocking fish migration leading to decreased catchesdecreased catches

Construction affecting water Construction affecting water quantity and qualityquantity and quality

Reservoir and riverbank soil Reservoir and riverbank soil erosion causing impairment to erosion causing impairment to water qualitywater quality

Effects on groundwater hydrologyEffects on groundwater hydrology Downstream flow variations Downstream flow variations

disturbing fisheriesdisturbing fisheries Downstream water quality Downstream water quality

impaired (e.g., reservoir biomass)impaired (e.g., reservoir biomass)

Although the MRB is not characterized by water shortages, Although the MRB is not characterized by water shortages, water issues are being given considerable attention because water issues are being given considerable attention because of rapidly increasingly Basin development and the trans-of rapidly increasingly Basin development and the trans-boundary aspectboundary aspect

The main challenge facing policy formulation in the MRB is to The main challenge facing policy formulation in the MRB is to reduce water-related vulnerability – maintaining ecological reduce water-related vulnerability – maintaining ecological health and avoiding social impacts by careful planning of dams health and avoiding social impacts by careful planning of dams and other development projects and adoption of appropriate and other development projects and adoption of appropriate and gender-focused mitigation measures (e.g., MRC has a and gender-focused mitigation measures (e.g., MRC has a gender toolkit for sector development) gender toolkit for sector development)

The second action to reduce water-related vulnerability in the The second action to reduce water-related vulnerability in the MRB is to reach consensus on equitable upstream-MRB is to reach consensus on equitable upstream-downstream water utilization (including environmental flow downstream water utilization (including environmental flow requirements) in the Mekong Riverrequirements) in the Mekong River

Lacking such actions, concerted efforts by less-developed Lacking such actions, concerted efforts by less-developed countries such as Lao PDR to achieve MDG targets will be countries such as Lao PDR to achieve MDG targets will be significantly undermined, if not reversedsignificantly undermined, if not reversed

The Response: Ensuring The Response: Ensuring Equitable Participation in Equitable Participation in Water GovernanceWater Governance

Thank you!Thank you!

Chandavanh Chandavanh DethrasavongDethrasavongcdethras@hotmail.comcdethras@hotmail.com