A collaborative research project, led by the Wyss Academy and Can Tho University in Vietnam, aims to explore how community engagement in monitoring water quality can contribute to mitigating water pollution in the Mekong Delta region, located in the southern part of the country. The initiative, supported by project partners ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and EAWAG (Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology), focuses on understanding the particular role of women in this context.
Water pollution is a critical issue in Vietnam, and cost-effective governance solutions to tackle this problem are urgently needed. According to Professor Quynh Nguyen, head of the Environmental Governance and Global Development research team, women may play a crucial role in monitoring water and mitigating water pollution.
“Women are not just passive actors. They can be champions of positive change thanks to their biography and daily-life experience,” explained Nguyen.
The professor highlighted that women in the region possess specific knowledge about the topic, having developed strategies to cope with water-related challenges given their role in managing the household, which includes cooking and ensuring that household members are not exposed to polluted water.
“Empowering women, giving them a voice, and involving them in governance processes can significantly benefit them, facilitating easier access to clean water for themselves and the entire community,” added Nguyen.
The Environmental Governance and Global Development research team continues working and collaborating with local and international partners to further develop this project and plan its forthcoming steps.
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