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Bounphama

 

Dr Bounphama Phothisane is Deputy Executive Director of the Environment Protection Fund (EPF) in Lao PDR. 

 

What drives you to work for forests and land use issues?

Lao PDR is very rich in forest resources, and forest products are important for driving national socio-economic development. Forest products also provide basic needs for under-privileged people who make a living on healthy forests – mostly through non-timber forest products (NTFPs). As Deputy Director of the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF), I play an important role in supporting activities that contribute to effective management of forests in Lao PDR. Through a World Bank project at present, EPF provides technical and financial support on capacity building to key agencies responsible for protection of conservation areas. This also promotes community forest conservation networks with communities located within and around selected priority areas. I have been playing a crucial role of planning and facilitating effective coordination with decision makers of many key agencies.

 

 

Why are forests important to you from your perspective as a woman?

Being a woman helps me appreciate the many roles that women can play in promoting sustainable forest management and conservation, which includes wildlife protection. Women have a significant influence on how forests are managed at household and community level. At household level, if women are aware of the value of forests and wildlife, and of their potential long-term benefits, they can help influence decisions and change the behaviour of men and family members towards sustainable forest use and conservation. A similar role can be played at community and policy level by women. I think that my role at EPF can help increase knowledge and opportunities for women to play an active role in forest management and conservation at household, community and policy level.

 

 

How can we ensure that there is more participation and leadership taken by women in forests and land use issues?

In general, women are more sensitive towards conservation and wellbeing of natural resources and environment, as well as health aspects, than men. In Lao PDR, the role played by women at policy and decision-making level is quite strong. If there is an effective and sustainable mechanism that can help increase awareness and knowledge, while creating opportunities for local women to participate in forest protection and management, this can help sustain their livelihoods and protect forests as well as biodiversity. However, such a mechanism will require effective and continuous support from many development partners led by EPF.

 

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