Climate change, livelihood resilience, and gender: An
intersectional analysis of Vietnam’s forest-dependent communities
Authors: Ho Thi Phuong , Nguyen Quang Tan , Phan Thi Quynh Nga, Le Quang Vuong, Dao Thi Minh Chau , Nyein Chan , Kyaw Win, Khin Nilar Swe
Environmental Development
: 52 :
Publishing year: 9/2024
Integrating gender-disaggregated data and adopting a gender-focused perspective are crucial for a
comprehensive understanding of climate change issues. This study provides empirical evidence
from two ethnic minorities in Vietnam, highlighting how perceptions of livelihood resilience vary
by gender, geographical context, and ethnicity, with a particular emphasis on their intersections.
Over 13 months, data were gathered through 3 focus group discussions, in-depth interviews with
9 key informants, field observations, and surveys of 136 households. The findings revealed a low
average Household Livelihood Resilience (HLR) score of 0.434, indicating limited resilience
among forest-dependent households facing external shocks. Notably, a significant gender gap was
evident, with men demonstrating higher resilience levels than women, a disparity attributed to
entrenched social norms and cultural practices. Women, often confined to domestic roles, faced
barriers to community involvement and access to financial resources, which weakened their
ability to cope with and recover from adverse events. To address these issues, the study advocates
for climate actions that prioritize gender equality and aim to enhance women’s resilience. This
includes amplifying their voices through tailored training programs and initiatives such as
women-managed microfinance groups. The study also emphasizes the policy implications for
advancing gender equality, sustainable forest management, and livelihood resilience. However,
this work has limitations, including a small sample size and reliance on self-reported data, which
may introduce biases. Future research should involve a larger, more diverse sample of forest-
Climate change Forest-dependent communities gender Livelihood resilience Vietnam