The position of women in rural livelihoods dependent on fisheries in the Mekong in Lao PDR will be set against a framework of hydropower development. Gender Analysis and Gender Impact Assessment will be used to examine the likely effects of hydropower development on rural communities and specifically the imbalance between males and females in terms of benefits and outcomes. This information will be used to assess how household decision-making is gendered to adapt to shifts in household well-being and livelihoods opportunities. Mechanisms for promoting gender inclusiveness and empowerment in hydropower development scenarios will be explored.