Introduction – Why Gender and Ethnicity Matter in Groundwater Governance

Women, Indigenous Peoples, and ethnic minorities are often disproportionately affected by groundwater stress while having limited influence in decision-making.

The project will be aligned with the GEFs and FAOs Policies on Gender Equality, the FAO Regional Gender Strategy and Action Plan for Asia and the Pacific, and the GEF Gender Implementation Strategy. The project is also in line with SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and the empowerment of women and girls.

A Gender Integration and Equality Approach for Transboundary Aquifers has been specifically developed for this project, with the overall goal of ensuring an equitable participation of women and ethnic minorities in project activities, and of fostering the empowerment of women in the Mekong Delta Transboundary Aquifer.

It aims at providing a roadmap for full integration of gender considerations into the project long-term vision as well as inform and contribute to the SAP preparation.

The Water and Gender Action Plan (GAP) is developed to ensure that gender considerations are considered during project formulation through a gender-responsive approach, and through specific activities directed to strengthen women’s participation in decision-making.