A gendered analysis on adaptation to resettlement stress: case studies from Deduru Oya reservoir project in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Dam constructions and flow modifications lead a nation towards significant development. Other than expected positive outcomes, a dam can contribute to severe negative impacts on society and environment. Displacement and resettlement due to dams affect the communities adversely. Displacement affects males and females differently as each gender is assigned with specific roles that lead to different responses. Though, many large dam projects such as Mahaweli have been undertaken in Sri Lanka, gendered responses to resettlement stress has not been adequately documented. Therefore, this study attempted to analyse the responses to seven identified resettlement stress factors by each gender using twelve case studies from Deduru Oya reservoir project in Sri Lanka. The resettlement stress factors under consideration were landlessness, unemployment, homelessness, marginalization, food insecurity, loss of access to common properties and social disintegration. For the issues of landlessness, unemployment and homelessness, males take longer time to adapt since they tend to secure a permanent livelihood while females find immediate possible solutions for issues such as feeding children and caring for family. Even though both genders are marginalized within the new community, women are more affected due transfer of land ownership completely to men. The traditional reproductive gender roles that females have to play amidst the resettlement stress place tremendous pressure on them. No provisions have been made to meet females’ practical and strategic needs in the resettled environment. In addition, patriarchal way of land reallocation makes females marginalised within the family itself.

Keywords

• adaptation, gender, deduru oya reservoir, displacement, resettlement stress