Contributing to the Reduction of Poverty and Food Insecurity in the Mekong Basin through Training Women in Agroecological Practices that Help Preserve a Threatened Ecosystem

Ranked 137th out of 189 countries on the Human Development Index, Laos is among the least developed countries in the world. Gender inequalities remain particularly pronounced and have been further exacerbated by the health crisis. Women in Laos have lower levels of education, are more likely to hold precarious jobs, and earn lower wages than men. Living predominantly in rural areas, the Laotian population is highly dependent on the Mekong River, whose rich waters provide a vital source of food and income. However, the intensive exploitation of the river threatens biodiversity and directly affects local food security. In response to these challenges, the villagers of Dongkouay, located in Vientiane Province, sought the support of the association Mékong Enfants des Rizières, whose founder is known for having previously assisted the village through donations of equipment. Co-led by Mékong Enfants des Rizières and the village community association, the Pa Namkong Lao Community Association (PNLCA), the project aims to empower women by strengthening their technical and organisational capacities in rice–fish farming and entomology (insect breeding). Participants will benefit from tailored educational support in the form of an illustrated booklet presenting the key stages involved in implementing rice–fish farming systems. Rice–fish farming is an agroecological practice that involves raising fish in flooded rice fields alongside rice cultivation, thereby creating an additional source of income through the sale of fish while preserving local ecosystems.