Women and the Mekong articles

Rich past, uncertain futures: Khmu community’s memories of living with the Ou River

Rich past, uncertain futures: Khmu community’s memories of living with the Ou River

The Ou River, the longest tributary of the Mekong in the Lao PDR, is undergoing massive changes, with seven dams in various stages of construction already affecting the livelihoods of Khmu communities that have resided there for generations. Sabrina Gyorvary recently visited the area with a local guide and recounts her conversations with community members as they recollect their memories of living with the Ou River.

Cambodia’s women fishers concerned about Don Sahong Dam

Women fishers in Kratie Province, Cambodia are concerned about plans for the Don Sahong Dam upstream in Laos. They worry that the river’s fisheries and the endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin will be affected. Working with civil society groups, they have raised their voice through a campaign that has involved both protest and radio shows.

The aspirations of a Shan lady for sustainable peace, justice and development

A personal reflection of the aspirations of a Shan lady, Ms. Nang Shining, who is seeking sustainable peace, justice and development in her hometown of Mong Pan, Southern Shan State, Myanmar. She discusses the impacts of recent logging and plans for the Mong Ton (Tasang) dam, and her work building new civil society organizations.

The Messenger Band

Rocking for their rights: “The Messenger Band” campaigns for workers in Cambodia’s garment industry

Cambodia’s garment industry is replete with stories of mistreatment of workers, inadequate wages and exploitation. An all-woman band calling itself “The Messenger Band” compose and perform their own lyrics and music to share personal stories of affected workers and bring people together to end worker exploitation.

Ms. Jittra Indrawittayanan explains need for local participation in development projects.

Thailand’s floodway project needs local participation

Thailand’s government is embarking on a multimillion baht “floodway project” to build a series of dykes and dams for flood management. Ms. Jittra Indrawittayananta, a woman community leader, argues that the project will exacerbate flooding and reminds us that communities need to be part of the decisions on flood infrastructure projects.

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