Within the framework of the weekly seminar activities of the Faculty of Economics and Rural Development (FERD), Vietnam National University of Agriculture (VNUA), on September 6th, the presentation: “Climate Change Adaptation of Women and Children in Red River Delta Biological Reserve, Vietnam”, was made by Dr. Quyen Dinh Ha, a member of the Research Group on Rural Development Management at VNUA. The seminar was chaired by Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Mau Dung – Vice Dean of the Faculty. Lectures, researchers and students participated in the Seminar.
Presentation at the Seminar is implemented through an open online form via Microsoft Team software
Climate change adaptation refers to the ability of ecological, social or economic systems to adjust to climate variability and extremes, to moderate or offset potential damages, and to take advantage of associated opportunities with changes in climate or to cope with the consequences thereof. Vietnam is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change impacts. It has 28 provinces, bordered by the sea and composed of numerous small fishing communities. The Red River Delta Biological Reserve in Vietnam was identified as one of the most vulnerable to climate change due to the number of coastal communities inhabiting the area. This biological reserve was certified by UNESCO in 2004 due to the importance of the rich resources found in the area.
The Red River Delta Biological Reserve in Vietnam
Scientific seminar activities are an opportunity for scientists inside and outside the faculty to have the opportunity to discuss new and in-depth approaches to each research topic, especially research areas that lack applied research. Through his research, results show that women face productive, reproductive and community participation challenges from climate change. More women are engaged in agricultural production than men. Due to water insecurity brought by climate change, women frequently collected water for household living. More women and children died in floods than men since they could not swim. Children are more vulnerable in coastal riverine areas since they had to cross the river to go to school resulting to drop out of schools. Women are also less likely to engage in community activities to increase adaptive capacity. Women’s involvement in local Committees for Flood and Storm Control only focus on child-care or food distribution and cleaning. It is, therefore, to recommend that training on swimming should be conducted for women and children to acquire the skills to avoid occurrence of the deaths during flooding. Further, capacity building activities in the short and long-term should be done for women and children in the area.
Livelihood activities of women in studied areas
Livelihood activities of women and bird watching activity at Xuan Thuy National Park
And some way forward should be needed for having a new gender-based approach to climate change; new gender-based approach must balance economic, energy and climate change concerns; new gender-based approach must recognize: (i) uncertainty in science; (ii) immediate constraints on emissions not warranted; and (ii) solutions (must include: voluntary actions, use of sinks, technology development, incentives for action, and transfer of technologies. Policies should focus on: (i) identify and remove barriers that discourage emission reductions or sequestration projects; (ii) accelerate research on science of climate involving women; (iii) Negotiate a new agreement that is gender-friendly encouraging economic development and stimulates technology transfer and capacity building among women and children.
Series of weekly seminars are organized through an open online form via Microsoft Teams and is notified in the weekly activity schedules by the Faculty of Economics and Rural Development and Vietnam National University of Agriculture.
Reported by Dr. Quyen Dinh Ha, The Research Group on Rural Development Management, Faculty of Economics and Rural Development