Women and urban flooding vulnerability: A case study from Can Tho City in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta

Abstract

The main objectives of this research are to identify (i) how women in Can Tho City experience the impacts of flooding on their health, income, household and personal finances; and (ii) limitations to women's participation in flood-related planning activities. Qualitative data collection included a household survey, followed by field observation and in-depth interviews of the affected women and other actors. Following a feminist framing, the research not only offers insight into the unique harms that women experience from floods, but also demonstrates that women have important knowledge and insights into flood-related planning. The research found that women took on additional flood management roles in the home. Carrying out this work in polluted flood waters placed a physical burden on their bodies, and led to associated financial burdens related to health treatment and protective equipment. Moreover, the time dedicated to this labour resulted in a reduction in women's incomes. Their houses were also damaged by the floods, resulting in repair costs. Women in higher income of full-time employment are dealing with the losses of income activity and housing, women in lower income or unemployment are dealing with the losses of personal expense and housing. Though women have a unique understanding of and relationship to flooding, government officials exclude them from local planning and training workshops about flooding risks. As a result, they have limited opportunities to use their knowledge to shape flood mitigation efforts. This research concludes that addressing vulnerability to future flooding must draw on Vietnamese women's knowledge and experiences.