Climate change, with phenomena such as droughts, rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and tidal surges, etc. has affected livelihoods and severely impacted various aspects of life in Ca Mau province. Among those most vulnerable to the impacts of natural disasters are children and women. To help women in the affected areas overcome difficulties, women’s associations at various levels have leveraged aid resources and implemented solutions and models to help women be better prepared for future natural disasters.
 

People, including women in rural and coastal areas, have been delighted to receive water storage equipment to support their daily activities during drought seasons.

In the first months of 2024, Ca Mau province faced a historic drought, with high temperatures, prolonged heat, and a lack of unseasonal rain. This has directly impacted over 13,853 hectares of agricultural land and aquaculture. According to the local authorities, the province has 2,620 households unable to access enough water for daily use due to the drought. A noticeable reality in rural areas is that some households, especially those facing financial difficulties, lack large-capacity water storage tanks to collect water for the dry season. Therefore, when the rainy season ends and the dry season begins, many households find themselves in a situation where they lack water for drinking, cooking, and household activities. If the drought continues for several years, the water scarcity issue for these households becomes even more severe.

In the face of these challenges and direct threats to people's livelihoods, as well as the risks posed by the dry season of 2024-2025, various sectors and levels of government have been working hard to implement many solutions to address climate change while ensuring economic development and improving people's lives. Among those most affected by natural disasters, women are the most vulnerable group and have received significant attention and support from various authorities. In recent years, women's federations at different levels in the province have made great efforts in their work and activities, leading the charge for gender equality. They have launched numerous practical initiatives, building diverse livelihood models that support women’s economic development while protecting the environment. These efforts have improved the material and spiritual well-being of poor and vulnerable women, created opportunities for them to enhance their roles and positions, and actively participate in social activities, contributing to the development of happy, prosperous families.
 

Through various programs and projects related to clean water, women have had better access to healthcare and education.
 

Ms. Tran Kieu Yen, Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union, said: “Recently, the Women's Union has actively mobilized resources, solutions, and models to help women respond to natural disasters. Along with support from local authorities, the models developed by the Women's Union and the aid from foreign non-governmental organizations have played a significant role in economic, social development and ensuring the welfare of the local community. Since 2018, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) has provided support to Ca Mau province with four projects, totaling over VND 10 billion. Among these, the “Water is life” project has significantly improved human security and resilience in the face of environmental challenges for 380 poor households, 318 near-poor households, and 831 households in difficult circumstances across 41 hamlets in four communes: Khanh Binh Tay, Khanh Binh Tay Bac (Tran Van Thoi district), Tran Phan, Quach Pham Bac (Dam Doi district), with nearly VND 5 billion in funding. This has been a great boost, helping women in disaster-prone areas overcome hardships”.

Ms. Nguyen Thuy Quynh, a resident of Da Bac B hamlet, Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, shared: “My family grows crops to earn a living. Previously, we used pumps to irrigate, but when the pump broke, I had to carry water by hand, which was time-consuming and exhausting. In the 2024 dry season, the water in the canals dried up, and with the pump broken, we had to conserve water from the central pump station for production, but it wasn’t enough. Thanks to support from local authorities, donations, and the Women's Union, I received assistance to install an automatic irrigation system. I’m very happy as this system helps me reduce water waste, save time, and boost production to earn more for my family”.
 

Water-saving irrigation models have been implemented in areas at risk of natural disasters.
 

Ms. Lam Thi Ca, a resident of hamlet 8, Khanh Binh Tay commune, Tran Van Thoi district, expressed her joy: “This past drought made my family’s life very difficult, as we lacked water for both daily use and production. Our family’s financial situation is tough, so buying water storage equipment was not easy. When I heard I was being supported with a water tank, I was overjoyed. Now, I can store rainwater for the next drought season. The support from the authorities, organizations, and donors has been a great source of strength for us, and we are determined to keep improving our lives while protecting the environment and conserving water”.

Ms. Tran Kieu Yen, Chairwoman of the Provincial Women's Union, added: “Through support from foreign non-governmental organizations, the unions at all levels have has promoted sustainable livelihood models. These efforts have helped address immediate challenges caused by natural disasters. Not only do these models support production, but they also provide women with better access to healthcare and education. In the future, the Women's Union will continue to seek additional resources to support women with more climate adaptation models. We will enhance training, provide skills, and raise awareness to improve disaster response capacity and environmental protection. We aim to create the best living conditions for women in coastal and disaster-affected areas, helping them build better livelihoods. In doing so, we will contribute to the development of new rural areas, modern urbanization, and sustainable poverty reduction”.