Training on integrating gender equality and social inclusion into community-based fire management in Viet Nam

Through multiple commune-level trainings and a province-level meeting, we aim to integrate gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) principles into the development of GESI-responsive community-based fire management (CBFiM) plans in Viet Nam. GESI issues will be discussed with forestry-related organizations at the provincial and district level. 

Background

While women, youth and disadvantaged groups are important agents in forest management and fire prevention, their roles are often overlooked, especially at the community level. Recognizing their importance in forest management, RECOFTC and partners – with support from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service – are advocating for inclusive forest management and wildfire prevention through the CBFiM project. 

The CBFiM project aims to empower local communities, stakeholders and GESI champions with the knowledge and skills to incorporate GESI considerations into forest fire management practices. The initiative is carried out in four villages in Da Quyn commune, Duc Trong district, Lam Dong province in Vietnam. 

The project conducted a GESI gap analysis in the four communities in January 2024 and the results are the basis on which to integrate GESI into fire management practices, tools and systems. 

Objectives

• Share results of GESI gaps analysis and highlight areas where gender disparities and social exclusion exist.
• Share procedures and approaches to develop a GESI-responsive CBFiM plan and improve local core groups' capacity to expedite plan implementation.
• Identify interventions to encourage the participation of women and disadvantaged groups in implementing the CBFiM plan.

Expected participants 

Community-level training events: Community members and representatives of local civil society organizations (CSOs) at the village and commune levels – women’s union, youth’s union, farmer’s union, elderly groups, labor groups, people with disabilities, forestry officers of the commune and the forest management board. 

Provincial level meeting: Representatives of government offices in Lam Dong province including the Department of Forest Protection, Department of Labour-Invalids and Social Affairs, Women 's Union,  Forest Protection and Development Fund.

Expected outcomes

• Local stakeholders have a better understanding and integration of GESI issues in forest management and forest fire prevention to develop a GESI-responsive CBFiM plan 
• Local people develop capacities to implement the GESI-responsive CBFiM plan
• Contribute to improved policies and practices in forest fire management at the local community level