And how do these solutions simultaneously improve the resilience of women and other vulnerable groups?
Vietnam is regularly hit by floods. The consequences tend to disproportionately affect women, who play a traditionally limited role in decision making, and poorer households, which are dependent on natural resources.
In the project ‘Strong roots, strong women: enhancing flood resilience in Central Vietnam’, Liselotte Hagedoorn, Dr Toon Haer and Dr Ralph Lasage study whether natural ecosystems such as mangroves can reduce the impact of flooding on vulnerable groups in society. These ‘nature-based solutions’ have additional advantages, too, such as retaining CO₂ and improving fish stocks. In theory, ecosystems could provide more support to vulnerable groups in the region, such as women and poorer households. Women are therefore central to the project, helping to plant mangrove forests and restore urban ponds.
This project is linked to the following SDG's:
- SDG 1: Zero poverty
- SDG 2: Zero hunger
- SDG 5: Gender equality
- SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- SDG 15: Life on land