Basin level gendered vulnerabilities and adaptation: A case of Gandaki River Basin

Abstract Adaptation programs and policies that acknowledge contextual understanding of gender-based vulnerabilities are effective to build the resilience of the most vulnerable. However, the challenge is to derive lessons from micro analysis of differential vulnerabilities caused by unequal power relations among different gender groups belonging to various social strata and take it to a broader policy level. Based on gender analysis of vulnerable populations living in different stretches of Gandaki river basin in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, this paper presents issues on gendered vulnerabilities and suggests possible adaptation measures. Evidence based on a participatory assessment of socioeconomic drivers and conditions leading to vulnerabilities and gender analysis of 107 Focus Group Discussions with homogenous groups of women and men belonging to various vulnerable social groups at up, mid and downstream of the basin form primary data source. The analysis concludes that there are changes in gender space, i.e. roles, responsibilities and domains to cope stressors. These include an increasing trend of women's presence in the local market and men's involvement in distant markets, both as labourers or small entrepreneurs. However, there are insufficient corresponding institutional and policy responses on social security and protection measures to address these changes. As a result, extreme of vulnerabilities such as violence against women and children have increased.