Project: Support to the Tonle Sap Authority on the Tonle Sap Water Security Diagnostic Report
Achieving climate resilience in water management is not simply a matter of technical solutions or infrastructure upgrades; it requires a focus on Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) solutions. This approach is especially vital in the context of the Tonle Sap Basin, where climate variability, water insecurity, and social vulnerability intersect, and where marginalised groups often endure the most significant effects of environmental change.
The Tonle Sap Basin in Cambodia supports the livelihoods of millions of people, however its water resources are increasingly under pressure from climate change, population growth, and unsustainable land use. Climate extremes such as droughts, floods, and unpredictable rainfall are intensifying, threatening livelihoods, food security, and ecosystem health. Women, people with disabilities, floating communities, ethnic minorities, and remote rural populations are particularly affected by these pressures, and often face heightened vulnerability due to limited access to water, sanitation, infrastructure, and decision-making.
AWP, in partnership with the Tonle Sap Authority, World Bank and International Centre for Environmental Management recently supported the development of a Water Security Assessment Report which outlined these issues and identified a series of priority actions. The report, delivered through the Tonle Sap Basin Water Security Diagnostic project highlighted how water insecurity is driven not just by environmental or technical factors, but also by systemic social inequalities and governance constraints which reinforce one another and amplify climate risks.
A GEDSI lens is therefore indispensable for climate resilience. By explicitly considering gender, disability, and social inclusion, water security strategies can identify and address the root causes of vulnerability. For example, the report noted that women and girls often carry the burden of water collection, reducing opportunities for education and income generation, while people with disabilities and ethnic minorities may be excluded from infrastructure projects or public services, leaving them more exposed to climate shocks. The floating villages around the Tonle Sap Lake have particularly acute water security issues: only about a third of households have access to improved drinking water or sanitation, and waterborne diseases are common. These communities are also at the forefront of climate impacts, with livelihoods closely tied to seasonal hydrology and ecosystem health.
As climate variability intensifies and pressure on water resources increases, existing structural disadvantages deepen vulnerability. As a result, the same environmental or hydrological stress can have more severe consequences for poorer and socially excluded groups.
The report’s recommendations, developed through extensive stakeholder consultation, embed GEDSI principles throughout. Actions such as strengthening gender-inclusive water governance and community participation in water and fisheries management processes, and promoting diversified livelihoods for fisheries-dependent households are explicitly designed to reduce vulnerability and build social resilience. The emphasis on inclusive participation ensures that women, people with disabilities, and other marginalised groups are not only beneficiaries but also active agents in water management and climate adaptation.
For climate resilience, this inclusive approach is vital. When communities are empowered to participate in planning and decision-making, solutions are more likely to reflect real needs and priorities, leading to better outcomes. For instance, supporting community-led water and ecosystem protection initiatives, and ensuring data is disaggregated to the commune level, allows for targeted interventions and monitoring of progress. The report also calls for strengthening social protection and disaster preparedness systems, which are critical for responding to floods, droughts, and other climate shocks, and for promoting environmental education, so that all community members understand the importance of sustainable water management.
The report’s integration of GEDSI highlights how resilience is not just about infrastructure or technical solutions, but about addressing underlying social inequalities, empowering communities, and ensuring equitable access to resources.
* Featured image showing the fish market at Chhnok Tru is courtesy of ICEM