With EU support, Ma Khine, a woman leading a local organisation in Myanmar, has been able to strengthen her knowledge on climate change. She has used her newly acquired skills to educate communities by proposing collective actions and solutions to address these issues.
Ma Khine leads a local civil society organisation (CSO) in a coastal village in Myanmar, an area heavily impacted by climate change. The region faces extreme weather events such as cyclones, extreme heat, flooding, and saltwater intrusion. These environmental changes have disrupted traditional sources of income, particularly in agriculture and fisheries. Consequently, a significant number of men have migrated to other cities in the country, resulting in an increase in female-headed households in the village.
After receiving EU-funded training, Ma Khine has been spearheading initiatives in her community to raise awareness about climate change impacts and preparedness. She is actively engaging more women in efforts to build resilience in other communities.
“I participated in awareness-raising activities about climate change, vulnerability assessments, and local climate action planning workshops. Through these workshops, I gained skills in climate change adaptation and began recognising the vulnerabilities of local communities. The workshops emphasised the importance of women’s involvement in climate change planning and decision-making, highlighting their crucial role in adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Inspired by the programme, I became interested in mangrove plantation and contributed to community forest building in my township. Additionally, I support women in local community in establishing alternative sources of income to enhance our resilience to extreme weather events.” Ma Khine.
EU-funded activities in Myanmar engage local communities in local climate action planning with a gender-responsive approach, where women play a crucial role. Under the Myanmar Climate Change Alliance 2 programme, implemented by UN Habitat, women are regarded as active agents of change rather than mere beneficiaries. At least 40% of participants in all consultations and decision-making processes are women.
