A gender study conducted by MAG in Laos shows that while both men and women are satisfied with their community’s decisions about which land to clear of unexploded ordnance (UXO), there is room for increasing women’s involvement in the process.
Single-sex focus groups were held in five villages where MAG had recently worked. All groups reported satisfaction with choices made by their community, except in one case where the MAG methodology had not been used.
However, surveys were also conducted which revealed that women participate less than men in the prioritisation process: 47% of women and 62% of men had attended the relevant community meetings.
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Women are more likely to listen than to contribute in meetings about which land to clear [Photo by Mike Goldwater] |
Even when women do attend such meetings, they often participate less actively than men and are more likely to listen than to contribute. Women often said that they felt ‘too shy’ to speak or that they ‘did not dare to show their opinions’ during the community meetings.
“This study has shown us how the prioritisation process can be improved,” said Lisa Ognjanovic, MAG’s Community Liaison Manager. “We will now introduce various measures that ensure that women’s opinions are heard and taken into account.”
High levels of participation by women are seen in the clearance process itself – equal numbers of male and female community members are hired as members of Village Assisted Clearance teams, while one third of MAG staff are women.
The study also examined gender in relation to UXO accident victims and their families, and in relation to working in the UXO sector in Laos. When finalised, the findings will be made widely available so that the entire UXO sector can benefit from them.
The next step will then be for MAG to partner with UXO Lao and extend the assessment to five provinces.
The study was jointly funded by the US Department of State, Good Gifts and AMR (the Dutch arm of Adopt-a-Minefield), as part of the all-female clearance team project in Xieng Khouang.
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