“We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.” – is a bold statement coming from the Declaration of Sentiments (1848), asserted that woman had an equal claim as men on equality and self-government. Since then, the fight for gender equality has long been in the spotlight of social progress across different sectors, including energy and climate.  

Southeast Asia lies under a vulnerable geographic location with high population density in coastal areas and its reliance on agriculture and natural resource. Hence, it is inevitable that the region is severely affected by climate change, impacting the food security, temperature changes, and sea level rise. Unfortunately, the terrible cause of climate change in Southeast Asia is accounted by its high greenhouse gas emissions, where 58% is coming from the energy sector. To overcome this, the region has established the ASEAN Strategy for Carbon Neutrality, which emphasises ASEAN’s readiness for a carbon neutral future with four key outcomes: (1) developed green industries; (2) interoperability within ASEAN; (3) globally credible standards; and (4) green capabilities. However, the strategies mainly circulating around economic and environmental sector, overlooking one considerable part of the climate agenda: women.  

Climate change disproportionately impacts women due to its social and economic vulnerability. The gender-energy-climate nexus is often seen as a tangled web, whereas, it requires more than one entity to cooperate and pursue a win-win solution. In ASEAN, one of the highly vulnerable locations is the Mekong River basin area. The Mekong River is a transboundary river which spans six countries: China, Myanmar, Lao PDR, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Sooner or later, climate change will affect the livelihoods of the populations who rely on the natural resources. The river also crucial as an energy resource to generate electricity from hydropower plant. Most likely, the impact of climate change will cause more frequent flash flood and long drought around the Mekong basin area, which also affect the energy generation from the plant. In this case, women are particularly impacted, as their roles in food production, water collection, and household care make them more vulnerable to these disruptions—especially in areas closer to the Mekong basin, where salinity and flooding threaten vital resources. 

As the energy sector is one of the highest contributors of climate change, this article discusses significant women groups in national level, particularly lives in vulnerable places that impacted by climate change, and who is working in energy sector. The complicated reality raises the urgency to amplify women’s voices and leadership in climate and energy discussions, especially in regions where the impacts are most severe. Given the heated situation, here is the story of women empowerment in ASEAN from the Mekong River Basin – an area which has severely impacted by climate change, where Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam become the spotlight. The article elaborates three main points to consider a progressive action to pursue gender equality: institutionalism, advocacy, and political will. Hence, how have the Mekong Basin Area countries addressed this issue? 

Cambodia “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality, Empowerment” 

Under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs (MOWA), all matters regarding gender mainstreaming across government in Cambodia is advanced. The Ministry is at the front line to accelerate and advocate gender equality into their policies and programs, while encouraging public institutions, civil society, and the private sector to support the activities. On decision-making level, Cambodian women has been serving as the President of the National Assembly, members of the government and leaders in ministries and institutions – showing a solid proof of women’s leadership skill. Indeed, various national policies along with sectoral approach has been established for facilitating, coordinating, and monitoring the implementation of gender equality and women’s empowerment in Cambodia. In relevance, MOWA established 9 priority sectors on gender, including Gender and Climate Change as one of their main issues.  

In 2001, the Kingdom of Cambodia established the Cambodian National Council for Women (CNCW) to promote the status and roles of women and the social welfare of Cambodian women, as well as to minimise and eliminate of all forms of discrimination and violence against women. Led by MOWA, the council’s structure consists of one President from MOWA, 2 Vice President, and 22 Secretary of States that represent each Cabinet Ministries of the Government of Cambodia, having the Secretary of State for Industry, Mine and Energy as one of their members. Having all those well-structured schemes with sectoral basis approach, the Kingdom of Cambodia has proven their intention and action to achieve gender equality.  

Lao PDR’s “Women Union and the Three Good Deeds” 

The landlocked country – Lao People Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) or also known as Laos, is blessed with its abundance hydropower resources, showcasing its pivotal role in the energy sector – which frequently addressed as the male-dominated sector. Moving back to 1981, the country ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which has also been recognised by all ASEAN Member States (AMS). On national level, the Lao Women’s Union (LWU), established in 1955, serves as the official government focal point for gender-related matters in Laos with equivalent status as the Ministry. The group is participated by all women member that is working under Lao government frameworks without any exception. Based on the organisational structure, the LWU is led by a President at the central level, followed by the provincial and ministerial levels, district and municipal levels, together with village level and businesses, showing a hierarchical nature within the Lao government system. Formerly named as Lao Patriotic Women’s Association (LPWA), the organisation is mandated to protect women’s rights, promote gender equality, support national development, educate Lao women on state policies, and preserve cultural heritage. In 2003, the National Commission for the Advancement of Women, Mothers, and Children (NCAWMC) was established under the Prime Minister’s Office. The commission is mandated to encourage, promote and protect the legitimate rights and interests of women in all fields: political, economic, socio-cultural, and family. As an intergovernmental organisation, NCAWMC has sub-commission in each Ministry in Lao PDR government structure. Later on in 2016, the organisation moved under the LWU, putting LWU as the highest position of the officially governed women union in Lao PDR.  

In principle, the Lao Women’s Union has the slogan of “Three Good Deeds”, where it becomes the goal for all Laotian women. The slogan emphasises three main priorities: Good Citizen, Good Development, and Building Good and Prosperous Families, where it also becomes the core framework for LWU members in doing their work. Moreover, the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) (2021-2025) has stated explicit target for female representative in government level as well as other matters relevant with socio-economic norms. For example, to promote women leadership and management positions, the NSEDP set clear target for at least 30% women should be accounted in leadership positions at the central level government. This target is also well implemented in the energy sector under the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM), where recently, Dr Santisouk Phimpachanh, Deputy Director General of MEM is appointed to be the Senior Officials on Energy (SOE) Leader of Lao PDR with 837 women working under the MEM.  

Myanmar’s Women Empowerment Amidst Political Turmoil 

Given the unstable politic situation in Myanmar, the Government established the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs (MOWYCA) during the Myanmar Spring Revolution in 2021. The newly formed ministry represents women, young people and children, and to protect their safety and freedom. Previously, gender-related issue was the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. Although the official institution has just stepped in, Myanmar’s women empowerment action has been started since years ago. In 1995, Burmese Women’s Union (BWU) was established with a group of young female students. This multi-ethnic organisation aspire to increase the rights and political participation of all women in civil society regardless their different background of education, culture, and social norms. Shortly after, in 1996, the Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs (MNCWA) was formed. The MNCWA was then changed the name to Myanmar National Committee on Women (MNCW). It is established as a national mechanism for inter-ministerial cooperation and the implementation on women development programmes. Their long-term vision is to have a policy integration in consideration with women rights and gender issues. By authority, MNCW received the right to organise, implement, and evaluate women’s development activities in state/region, district and township levels. The working committee published the National Strategic Plan for the Advancement of Women (2013-2022), which elaborate the ten year planning and targets in the key areas that affect women’s lives and practical ways to address the issues. One of the priorities is “Women and the Environment”, which the key objective is to ensure women’s participation in the management and safeguarding of natural resources, the environment, and climate change adaptation. This highlights that the government has put specific concern not only in general way, but also approaching each sector. Through this national plan, the government has signalled its commitment by creating enabling system, structures, and practices for gender equality in Myanmar.  

National Council of Women of Thailand 

The Thai Government has adopted numerous frameworks and guidelines on gender equality. One of which, is significant legal commitments from the Thailand Gender Equality Act B.E. 2558 (2015), underlining action plan to achieve gender equality in the country. Under the royal patronage, the National Council of Women of Thailand (NCWT), established in 1957, has been pivotal to advance gender equality. The NCWT actively promotes women’s leadership, entrepreneurship, and community development projects, including microfinance for female entrepreneurs. It also plays a key role in violence prevention campaigns and public awareness programs, particularly on National Women’s Day of Thailand, celebrated every 1st August. However, challenges remain, particularly in closing the gender gap in technical fields like energy. Continued advocacy and international collaboration will be essential for sustained progress. 

Within the government structure, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) is responsible to oversee gender-related issue. Within the ministry, the Department of Women’s Affairs and Family Development (DWF) holds important role in enforcing the Gender Equality Act. Moreover, other ministries also contribute – the Ministry of Labor addresses employment rights, the Ministry of Education promotes STEM initiatives, and the Ministry of Justice enforces protections against gender-based violence. 

Recently, the Department of Climate Change and Environment (DCCE) officially launched the revision of Thailand’s Climate Change Master Plan, which is followed by the first stakeholder consultation about Gender and Social Inclusive Climate Action, aiming for a more inclusive strategies for climate mitigation and adaptation.  

Viet Nam’s Women Union: Building the Vietnamese Women of the New Era  

Originally founded in 1930, the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) serves as a socio-political organisation that operates throughout Viet Nam at the central, provincial,  district, and commune levels. The union was established to protect legal rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese women to achieve gender equality and a progressive women development. The VWU initiated the national slogan for women’s movement which is popular with the “Building the Families of 5 With-s and 3 Clean-s” consisting of ‘5 with-s’ with safe house, with sustainable livelihood, with good health, with knowledge, with civilised lifestyle and ‘3 clean-s’ clean house, clean kitchen, and clean environment.  

In terms of regulation, the VWU issued Resolution No. 18 to support women’s international integration by 2030 within various fields, such as culture, social affairs, science and technology, economy, security, national defence, and foreign affairs. At the 67th Anniversary of VWU in 1997, the Viet Nam’s Government with the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam (NCFAW) introduced the National Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women in Vietnam by the year 2000. The action plan incorporates the objectives of the national strategies followed by the plan of action by various sectors, provinces, and cities, which comprises 11 particular objectives. The plan also elaborates specific objectives and actions to be taken by inter-ministries, for example, the collaboration required between the Ministry of Justice, State Bank of Vietnam, and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment to ensure women’s right to full and equal access to the use of credits, natural resources, and other information and technology resources. Among all 11 objectives, Objective 7 highlights the development of women’s role in the management of the environment and natural resources, contributing to the sustainable development and to the improvement of the living environment. Moving forward, by the 100th anniversary of the VWU in 2030, the organisation is optimistic to become a recognised leading women organisation within the regional and international level, thus contributing to the national development goals.  

In summary, the story of women empowerment in Mekong Basin illustrates a critical intersection of climate vulnerability and gender inequality. Across Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, efforts are being made to include women in the conversation, to institutionalise their roles, and to recognise their value not just as beneficiaries, but as key players in shaping energy and climate policies. Each government offers sufficient support to enable women to participate across various sectors of governance, ensuring their efforts align with the vision of the highest national authority. Not only creating space for women, the government also strongly encourages women to take leadership role in the institution.  

The unheard is now being heard. As women communities will be significantly more impacted by climate change, the existence of official women organisation within the Mekong basin countries has proven that ASEAN is prepared for a ‘just and inclusive’ environment. Achieving gender equality in the energy sector requires more than commitments—it prioritises coordinated action and measurable progress. As ASEAN advances its vision to a just and inclusive energy transition, regional collaboration, knowledge-sharing platforms, and concrete policy frameworks will be the main driver to achieve the long-term vision.  

Indira Pradnyaswari is a Research Analyst of ACCEPT II at ACE. 

The views, opinions, and information expressed in this article were compiled from sources believed to be reliable for information and sharing purposes only, and are solely those of the writer/s. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) or the ASEAN Member States. Any use of this article’s content should be by ACE’s permission.