Time: 06/2024 – 05/2025
GS4Infra mission & background:
Gs4Infra is an interdisciplinary project funded by Mekong Think Tank Programme, which aims at gaining understanding and providing solutions to address gender-sensitivities arising in the policy making and public sector development of the Water- Energy- Climate change infrastructures focusing on flood protection dikes, irrigation canal and sluice gates. Our efforts are concentrated in two communes in Cù Lao Dung district, located in the Bassac River, a tributary of the Mekong, which face challenges from climate change and upstream hydropower development.
Main objectives:
Gs4Infra is structured around three key objectives:
- Objective 1. Collectively integrate women’s specific needs and interests (livelihoods, mobility and safety) in the design and operation of water-energy-climate infrastructures: flood protection dikes, irrigation canals and sluice gates.
- Objective 2. Promote meaningful participation and ownership of women and vulnerable groups in designing, implementing and operating of WEC infrastructures.
- Objective 3. Identify and mitigate gender-sensitive aspects including unequal rights of participation and rights of benefiting from WEC infrastructures as public goods.
Methods:
GS4Infra will gather comprehensive data on how current infrastructures impact women differently and use this information to form the basis for policy recommendations. GS4Infra will work closely with local stakeholders, including women’s unions, female-headed households, and ethnic minority groups, to co-develop practical recommendations.
Effectiveness:
The project outcomes will make a significant contribution to the policy and development portfolio for two local communities, and the governmental authorities.
Timeline & Main activities:
- Pre-field trip & meeting with local partners in Soc Trang province (August 27, 2024)
- Project introduction at The Department of Soc Trang Agriculture and Rural Development in Cu Lao Dung District (online & offline) (September 27, 2024)
- Data collection at An Thanh Dong & An Thanh Nam commune (September 27-29, 2024)
- Implementation of training program for farmers in An Thanh Dong & An Thanh Nam commune and for officials in Cu Lao Dung district (November, 2024)
- Implementation of 2 small financial packages in 2 research communities (November, 2024)
- “Policy consultation” meeting (January, 2025)
- Research Reports & Recommendations (March, 2025)
Stakeholders:
- The project enjoys strong collaboration with a wide range of boundary partners, local and regional stakeholders.
- Stakeholders from Soc Trang Province (to be updated)
- Soc Trang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
- Unit of Social Protection, Children and Gender Equality of Soc Trang
- The Soc Trang Project Management Unit (PMU)
- Women Union of the Cù Lao Dung District
- Vulnerable groups: Female-headed households, female youths.
- Business/entrepreneurs, preferably female-led
- Ethnic Khmer families
Supportive Partners and External advisory partners:
- Mekong Thought Leadership and Think Tanks Network – https://www.sei.org/projects/mekong-thought-leadership-think-tanks-network/
- New Amsterdam Consult Firm – https://newamsconsult.com/
- New Rose City Consult Firm – https://newrosecityconsult.com/
Please visit our website and fanpage for more updated information:
- Website_GS4INFRA: https://gedsimekong.org/
- GS4INFRA_Facebook Fanpage: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566445479538
- GS4INFRA_Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@GS4INFRA_GEDSIMEKONG
