gender and household decision-making

Gender And Household Decision-Making: Implications for Livelihoods in

Hydropower Development

Sonali Senaratna Sellamuttu

Uniting agriculture and nature for poverty reduction

Key message When designing effective livelihood strategies for people in villages affected by hydropower development, it is vital to account for a multiplicity of factors that contribute to overall wellbeing of men and women, as well as of different ethnic groups


Hydropower companies generally focus on the material aspects of wellbeing within their livelihood packages, such as ensuring joint assets and equity in capabilities (education/health). But other factors including underlying gendered values, norms and practices, should be also given adequate consideration in assessment and planning.

Upland rice not merely a livelihood activity that can be replaced by another, but also a tradition and identity. If weaving and fishing supported while upland rice, riverbank gardens is restricted, this has implications for gender relations and equity.

Livestock

Men

Upland Rice control limited (material, relational and

subjective costs)

Fishing control increased (material benefit)

Livestock control decreased (material cost)

Women

Riverbank gardens control decrease (material cost)

Weaving control increased (material, subjective

benefits)

Education increased participation (relational and

subjective benefits)

Costs and benefits need to be assessed in material, relational and subjective terms. Provides insights into why some household members accept and others reject livelihood options offered by hydropower development.

When evaluating the impact of new, proposed livelihood options, it is necessary to disaggregate the costs and benefits to women and men, as well as ethnic groups, separately.

Reflections on Gender and livelihood

opportunities and Challenges: Nam Mang 3 Hydropower dam.

Livelihood Challenges and opportunities for resettled villages

Mayvong Sayatham


1.Livelihood opportunities

Livelihoods transformation


2. Challenges

1.  Water shortage

2.  Limit access to resources-rent in agriculture land

3.  Livelihood option &adaptation skill

Key lessons learned for the future social safeguards implementation 1.  Cash compensation –chaotic-lack of resources

2.  Livelihoods Capitals (material and social-gender cost and benefits) should be taken into account

3.  Opportunities and challenges (budget allocation & commitment for M&E)

Thank you for your attention

gender and household decision-making

Science