Title:
Gender mainstreaming in landmine victim assistance in Eastern Burma: From contemporary theory to future practice
Authors:
Dijkstra, Lobke
Publisher:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Year:
2014
PAGE:
v, 42
Language:
En
Subject:
Health and Poverty
Keywords:
victim assistance, gender, landmines, Burma, displaced population, refugees, amputees
Abstract:
The changing political climate in Burma (also known as Myanmar) and increased pressure from Thai authorities suggest a return of 400,000 internally displaced people, and 120,000 registered refugees, currently living in the Thai-Burma border area, to Eastern Burma. The Burmese army and several nonstate armed groups have used landmines for decades and Eastern Burma is believed to be one of the most heavily contaminated areas in the world. Mapping and clearance activities were mostly rejected by the Burmese government and a premature return of displaced people, before the land is cleared from landmines and political stability is achieved, raises strong concerns about their safety. Landmine victim assistance stakeholders should be prepared for a peak in new casualties, predominantly among civilians. Additionally, loosening restrictions from the Burmese authorities may provide access to medical and rehabilitation facilities for already existing landmine victims, increasing the demand for services. This document approaches victim assistance from a gender-sensitive perspective. Gender is discussed as a cross-cutting issue and context-specific considerations or recommendations are made throughout the victim assistance pillars: laws and policy, data collection, emergency and continuous medical care, physical and functional rehabilitation, psychological and psychosocial support, and socio-economic inclusion. Men, women, boys and girls have different roles, responsibilities, and values in society which makes them uniquely affected by landmine contamination. Gender determines, among other factors, if and how a person is affected by landmines: it influences a person’s right and restrictions, movement patterns and daily activities, accessibility to services and facilities, physical survival and recovery chances, psychosocial support and coping mechanisms, socio-economic chances, and vulnerability to poverty. A gender-sensitive approach enhances the effectiveness of victim assistance, to appropriately reach the entire affected population. A distinction is made between direct victims (or: survivors) and indirect victims (family or community members affected by the consequences of landmine contamination and casualties). Furthermore, this document discusses the broader health and social consequences of landmine contamination within the prolonged conflict situation in Eastern Burma. It touches upon human rights violations related to landmines, and upon public health consequences due to inaccessibility of contaminated areas (i.e. limitations of vaccination campaigns, food scarcity, and vulnerability to infectious diseases). Finally, socio-economic inclusion, whereby every community member participates in social and economic activities, is highlighted. The association between disability and poverty is discussed, and the vulnerability to adverse alternative sources of livelihood (i.e. opium cultivation).
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
,
VU - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Institute:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Country:
The Netherlands
Region:
Europe
Training:
Master in International Health
Category:
research
Right:
@ 2014 Dijkstra
Document type:
Thesis/dissertation
File:
8ymuOaVIyu_20171119133555610.pdf