Learning Paper: Lessons from Co-Creation of a Platform for Women in Water Governance in the Mekong Region

In February 2023, a 12-person all-female steering committee convened to begin the process of co-creating women in water governance platform (WIWGP) in the Mekong region. The learning paper documents key lessons based on one-year longitudinal research project that followed the WIWGP co-creation process through a mix of interviews, observation and surveys.

Transforming Power: A Gender Guide for Organizations Campaigning on Dams and for Rivers

Transforming Power, a gender guide for organizations campaigning on dams and for rivers was created as a tool to help Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’s) and grassroots community organizations strengthen their gender practice and encourage campaigning in ways that are gender-responsive in the interests of both women and men. The gender guide consists of four sections and an appendix with tools and resources.

State of Knowledge: Women and Rivers in the Mekong Region

The State of Knowledge: Women and Rivers in the Mekong Region report highlights women’s contributions to better governance, social, and environmental outcomes for rivers in the Mekong region. The report spotlights women’s achievements in water decision-making and river governance, but also the major barriers to their leadership and “visible” participation. It flags key points of inequity across the six countries of the Mekong region, and also references good practice examples, as defined by women themselves, where women have assumed important and influential roles in governing the rivers and water resources on which they and their communities depend. 

Women and Rivers: Community Voices

While women often play critical roles in providing, managing and safeguarding water and natural resources, women’s participation in decision-making over water and natural resources remains limited. This booklet of quotes highlights the voices and perspectives of community women in Kratie, Stung Treng and Tonle Sap in Cambodia.

Consultation Protocols: Instrument for the Defense of Territories and Rights

The video “Consultation Protocols: Instrument for the Defense of Territories and Rights”  was produced by International Rivers and directed by Todd Southgate. It portrays an initiative that emerged within the movements of indigenous peoples and other traditional communities that aims to ensure the right to free, prior and informed consultation and consent on policies and projects that affect their territories and lives.

Communique: Women and Rivers Congress

The inaugural Women and Rivers Congress this March in Nagarkot, Nepal was a tremendous success, bringing together close to 100 women from more than 30 countries to celebrate the fundamental role women play in defending and stewarding freshwater resources, as well as to spur collective action to challenge the deep-rooted, gender inequities that women face in safeguarding rivers and river ecosystems. 

This is the summary of what transpired and the collective action this inspiring group of women leaders resolved to carry out.

Gender Inclusion in Water Governance

Women are often excluded from the management of water resources. Oxfam and our partners aim to include women and men in decisions about water resource management. A workshop organised by Oxfam and IUCN brought together our partners from the community, civil society and governments from across the Mekong region to discuss pathways for gender integration in water governance.

The River Guardian

The story of a woman's commitment to protect the Mekong river, the lifeblood of millions of citizens.

Inga Women Speak

Inga women have been fighting for their rights and to stop the third dam from being built on their river. Their livelihoods and wellbeing are at stake, as many decisions have been made without their voices being heard.

"I will not benefit from this project, my family will not benefit as well. Our parents and grandparents have passed on and they didn't even enjoy the goodness of our land." – Angelique Mvuezolo (Inga Resident)