Agriculture transition and women's decision-making power in coffee-farming households in Lao PDR
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2021
Abstract
The Lao government introduced a new period of economic liberalisation with the New Economic Mechanism (NEM) in 1986. The present study examines whether market liberalisation and women's participation translated into changes in women's decision-making power in the coffee growing region of the Bolaven Plateau in southern Lao PDR. While women have always been involved in coffee farming, their participation increased when the more labour-intensive arabica coffee plants were introduced to replace the less popular robusta variety in the region. Drawing on quantitative and qualitative data, the study examines gender decision-making within coffee-farming households. The findings show an increase in women's participation in decision-making with the introduction of the arabica coffee plants; however, men still hold higher decision-making power in farming households. While the NEM has brought about economic growth and provided better livelihoods for coffee farmers, this has not necessarily translated into women's empowerment. Economic growth is not enough to bring about gender equality, and there is still a need for specific policy interventions.
Keywords
Agriculture transition, Decision-making, Gender equality, Lao PDR, New economic mechanism, Women's empowerment
Divisions
arts
Funders
Feminization, Agriculture Transition and Rural Employment (FATE) project - Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF),Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)[400340_147725]
Publication Title
Jati-Journal of Southeast Asian Studies
Volume
26
Issue
1
Publisher
Univ Malaya, Dept Southeast Asian Studies, Fac Arts & Social Sciences