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FMR 64 Climate crisis and local communities 31

June 2020 www.fmreview.org/issue64

in Bangkok in December 2019, half of them village groups can evolve into national
relate to knowledge sharing and exchange. networks. However, women need the
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One persistent challenge for local requisite skills to be able to participate.
knowledge exchange is around language: The role of external actors should
there is a huge diversity of languages be limited to supporting community-led
among Indigenous Peoples in Southeast interventions, using their influence to
Asia, not only between countries but build bridges with larger networks. In the
within countries. Additionally, the reality Cambodian and Myanmar examples, it is
is that much of the information around clear that the technical assistance provided by
climate change, human rights and gender development organisations has been helpful;
equality exists primarily in English. however, often it needs more than just a
One tool being used for knowledge technical intervention to shift gender norms
exchange in Myanmar is the iWomen – and it is the local people who have insight
Inspiring Women app which was developed into what is needed in their communities.
by MDK to enable rural women to have A final recommendation is to
their voices heard through opinion polls, document traditional knowledge and
detailed surveys and storytelling. Rural practices in order to preserve Indigenous
women can gather evidence through the app knowledge and to influence policy. As
on issues of concern such as gender-based one participant in Bangkok said:
violence or safe migration, which they can “After attending the conference, I have realised
then share with other rural women, and that women in other countries also have the same
with local and national government. As of challenges we have in Myanmar and I learned from
May 2020, the app is being used by over them…. Therefore, we have to work together at a
1,000 women across 31 different townships.
policy level on women’s participation in climate
Recommendations for programming change decision-making processes and [share
information about] our challenges.”
Given the inter-generational nature of
knowledge sharing between community Sarah Pentlow sarah.pentlow@gmail.com
members and the way in which whole Gender Equality Consultant, until recently with
families are involved in livelihood activities, Cuso International https://cusointernational.org
any training or workshops on climate 1. This one-year project, implemented by Cuso International
adaptation strategies or gender equality and Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact, was funded by Stockholm
should take a family-oriented approach. Environment Institute as part of their Strategic Collaboration fund
and Global Affairs Canada Volunteer Cooperation Programme; the
This method was used in Laos as part of focus was on engaging with Indigenous Women in Southeast Asia
CARE’s Remote Ethnic Women programme, for a more inclusive climate policy dialogue.
5
where it was successful in starting to break 2. This was a joint research project and knowledge-sharing event
down social norms and gender barriers. convened by Cuso International and Asia Indigenous Peoples’
Pact. bit.ly/2Sxzdxu
Emerging from the research was a 3. Also known outside Myanmar as the Myanmar Rural Women’s
clear call for specific capacity building Network.
for women to increase literacy, leadership 4. bit.ly/2HurOJd
skills and local political participation. The 5. See bit.ly/CARE-Laos-Remote
example of MDK is a model of how local
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