Capacity building of gender and development studies at Yangon University of Economics

This project contributes to capacity building of YUE for qualitative research. It consists of graduate education at AIT, curriculum development of gender and development at YUE, qualitative research training workshop and small research projects, and joint supervision of students. As the result of the project, YUE now runs a gender and development studies graduate course.

Keywords gender, qualitative research, policy, Myanmar, graduate education

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Demographic changes in fishing communities in Cambodia and Thailand

There is a large demographic change in fishing communities in Asia – either because of aging or because of out-migration. The study compared the situation in Thailand (aging society) and Cambodia (out-migration) fishing communities, and analyzed what has been the impact of demographic changes to fishing occupation, and how fishers are adapting to such changes. The study showed how the impact of demographic changes is shaped by existing laws and policies as well as fisheries resources availability. Women are seen to play a large role in adjusting to the changes through their non-fish work. Care for the elderly is seen to be a great challenge for both Thailand and Cambodia, and neither countries are expecting children to take care of the elderlies while it is increasing becoming difficult for younger generations to do so.

Keywords demographic changes, ageing, migration, fisheries, care work

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Migration and collectives/ networks as a pathways out of poverty: Gendered vulnerabilities and capabilities of fishing communities in Asia

The project studied migration in fishing communities in Cambodia, India and Sri Lanka. It explored how migration is used as a strategy to manage diminishing fishing resources and the deprivation that fishers are facing vis a vis large players in fishing. In Cambodia, it demonstrated how women play a crucial role in sustaining fishing as a profession for the household.

Keywords gender, fisheries, migration, poverty, vulnerabilities, Cambodia

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Jobs at the border: Women’s employment in ASEAN’s economic zones

Guided by the question of whether the jobs being created within these zones are promoting decent work for women migrant workers, this study developed four case studies of SEZs: Thilawa SEZ (Yangon Region, Myanmar), Phnom Penh SEZ (Phnom Penh, Cambodia), Manhattan SEZ (Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia), and Tak SEZ (Tak Province, Thailand), with a particular focus on the garment industry.

Keywords women, garment factory workers, special economic zones, migration

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