A study of Laos and Cambodia
On the 23rd January 2018, CIBE researcher Chandni Patel attended a half-day conference hosted by SynTao Sustainability Solutions. The conference aimed to share the findings of SynTao’s current research project regarding the gender impact that Chinese overseas agricultural investment has within Laos and Cambodia. The project had collected data on the impact of such investments in two primary respects: a). Its impact on the household (given that gender roles within the target countries usually dictate for women to be the primary homegivers), and b). Its impact on women as employees.
The study was conducted using background research into existing literature and analysis drawn from findings obtained through questionnaires, interviews and case analysis. The findings highlighted gender inequality within Chinese enterprises operating in the two territores. In acknowledgement of the importance for companies to secure a social license, in and amongst its political and legal license, SynTao’s report outlined eight primary recommendations for how Chinese investments could improve their approach in tackling such problems.
The findings were discussed from the perspective of NGOs, businesses and academics; with several host speakers invited to share their opinions. Host speakers included: GuoYi (郭毅), Professor at the Beijing Technology and Business University, School of Economics; Cai YiPing (蔡一平), member of the Executive Committee for NGO group: “Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era” (DAWN); Qiu AiMiao (邱爱秒), Public and Government Affairs General Manager for Tianjin JuLong Group; Guo RuiXiang (郭瑞香), the National Project Coordinator for UN Women, China Office; Kang Min (康敏) Associate Professor of the Beijing Institute for Foreign Languages, School of Asia-African studies; and, Liang XiaoHui (梁晓晖) Deputy Chief economist at the China Textile Information Centre.
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