Women in Sustainable Watershed Management: Building Resilience to Climate-Induced Disasters in Sri Lanka
摘要
Sustainable Watershed Management (SWM) is a vital approach for addressing climate-induced disasters in vulnerable countries like Sri Lanka. To achieve the overarching aims of the SWM, the Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) offers an operational framework which uses variety of tools. Mainstreaming gender is one of the key principles of operationalizing IWM. However, despite the critical role of women’s engagement, it is often limited or overlooked. This chapter explores how women can be effectively involved in IWM to strengthen climate resilience. The findings are based on a literature review, validated and supplemented by field observations and informal discussions. Although many IWM tools are in use across the country, women’s participation remains low or partial. The chapter also highlights the key challenges that restrict women’s involvement in IWM practices and presents strategies to enhance their participation in SWM aiming at building resilience against climate-induced disasters.