Gender impact of land tenure in the context of disasters
November 14-15, 2013
Organised by the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok
Sponsored by Food and Agricultural Organisation, Bangkok
Context
Land is a scarce resource, and effective land management is critical to the well-being of people andlivelihoods. The lack of efficiency in land planning and management is leading to disasters, such as floods,land slides, land degradation and desertification, climate change and biodiversity loss. In face of increasingdemand for land from individuals and corporates for subsistence and profit, large-scale exploitation of landfor dams, mines, plantations, farms, industry and housing are seen in the developing and least developedcountries. However, the impact of such land exploitation is not well-understood, especially in the context ofdisasters. Far less attention is paid to the gendered impact of such disasters.
In this context, disasters include incidences that impose both acute as well as gradual impact onhuman beings. Specifically, land tenure issues caused by natural disasters (such as flood) as well as thosecaused by development such as infrastructure development, agriculture development, mining, etc. Specialfocus is given to the gendered impact under such changes. For example, development of plantations isleading to large-scale destruction of forests, displacement of people, soil erosion, flooding and land slides.
The rampant mining in the mineral rich zones is leading to health hazards for people who live around themines, often very close to the mines since zoning regulations are usually not enforced with respect to mines.The pollution from the mines affects both people and their livelihood.
Agenda
How women and men cope with such disasters, prevent/ mitigate disasters as well as reconstruct their livesafter such disasters is greatly influenced by their land tenure. There are incidences where powerful peopleevict people without land titles even if they have owned the land for several generations. Women, whonormally do not own land in many parts of Asia and Pacific, are most vulnerable to such deprivation fromdisaster. Their resilience to disaster is weakened by their lack of land rights.Despite the increasing vulnerability of women due to their weak claim on land, increase in landgrabbing, and increase in disasters caused by over-exploitation of resources, there is a dearth of studies thatlink the three key issues of gender equality, land tenure and disaster management. This workshop aims togather researchers and practitioners who are working on issues in these three areas, and identify future
research agenda that can further our understanding.
Case studies: We seek case studies from Asia highlighting the issues and complexities when gender, landtenure and disaster overlap. We do not seek concept papers, literature reviews or overview papers at thispoint. Abstracts should include the following details: research area, scope of the study, key issues andconcerns, number of people affected, and potential for a generalisation/ extrapolation from the research.
Participants: We welcome academicians, grassroots workers, and government officials from the region whoare interested in making a difference.
Sponsorships: We have several sponsorships for participants from the region. Sponsorships will be decidedon the basis of the draft case study submitted.
Expected outputs: Selected Case Studies will be published as a book.
Key dates:
Abstract: September 15, 2013
First draft of case study: September 30, 2013
Contact persons:
Veena N.
Researcher (GDS/NRM)
Asian Institute of Technology
PO Box 4, Klong Luang
Pathumthani 12120
Thailand
Fax: +6625246166
Email: vienie@gmail.com
Rajendra Shrestha
Associate Professor
Asian Institute of Technology
PO Box 4, Klong Luang
Pathumthani 12120
Thailand
Tel: +6625245602;
Fax: +6625246387
Email: rajendra@ait.ac.th
Kyoko Kusakabe
Associate Professor
Asian Institute of Technology
PO Box 4, Klong Luang
Pathumthani 12120
Thailand
Tel: +6625246131;
Fax: +6625246166
Email: kyokok@ait.ac.th