http://www.genderanddevelopment.org Gender & Development 18:1 Water en-us Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT Fri, 03 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1483 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1483 Although women in urban households in Nigeria are primarily responsible for sourcing and managing domestic water supplies, their responses to problems with obtaining water have to be negotiated within the context of gender power relations, roles and responsibilities, both within and outside the household. This article, focusing on women in poor communities in Lagos and Benin City, Nigeria, shows that there is some relationship between women's desire to organise for water improvements, and membership in voluntary associations. However, women are generally unable to influence decision-making in the sector through voluntary associations, and are excluded from actual participation in the business of water supply and the associated economic opportunities. Author: Charisma Acey Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1484 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1484 This paper sets out a framework for understanding water governance, arguing that a narrow focus on gender-sensitive mechanisms of water delivery (such as committees, tariffs, technologies) is insufficient to ensure gender equitable outcomes. We need to expand our analysis of water governance in two directions. Firstly, to understand the ways in which societal resources are allocated (through economic policies, legislation etc) and so shape mechanisms in particular ways. Secondly, to consider how different people are able to influence the outcomes of particular governance arrangements to produce gendered outcomes (for health and well-being, access and livelihoods, and for political voice). Author: Frances Cleaver Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1485 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1485 Water is one of the most important natural resources, and its effective management is essential given its scarcity. In rural Sri Lanka, the management of available water resources needs special attention because investment for water resource improvement is hard to obtain, and water itself is relatively scarce in the drier areas of the country. The Wanaraniya Water Project pipes water 6.5km from its source to individual houses in the village, saving women daily time and effort. The project is founded on commitments to community participation and the adoption of local knowledge. It was initiated by women, and has been operated and managed by them for the last six years. This study argues that the project can serve as a model for better planning of water management, and focuses on the unique strategies and innovative methods that have been used. In particular, it shows the impact of involvement in the project on women's empowerment. The implementation of the project has helped women to improve their leadership qualities, confidence, self-reliance, and gain more power in the community through their successful establishment of a village water supply. Author: Seela Aladuwaka Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1486 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1486 Access to water is a critical component in advancing the human rights of women. Although privatisation of water services continues to be pushed by donors such as The World Bank, the available information shows that privatisations are not increasing access to water for poor women. This paper examines the human right to water and why this right is critical for women and girls. It then discusses privatisation, and the tension between contractual obligations and respect for human rights. Finally, it explores some strategies and successes from women's involvement in the struggle against water privatisation in Tanzania. Author: Rebecca Brown Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1487 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1487 This article argues that following the Earth Summit, Brazil has pursued an ineffective water policy agenda, which has undermined women's right to safe water and adequate sanitation. It sets out some examples of women's involvement in water and sanitation programmes, and argues for the integration of strong gender perspectives in public policymaking and water distribution systems. The article concludes that development projects are currently falling short on tackling women's complex needs and interests in relation to water. Author: Marianna Leite Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1488 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1488 For women in particular, safety, privacy and dignity are important considerations in the design of toilet and bathing facilities, and taking their views in to account is vital. Enabling their voices to be heard can be challenging, particularly in contexts where women's seclusion in society is the norm. This article details a case study which highlights the way Oxfam GB dealt with this important issue following the earthquake which struck Pakistan in 2005. Author: Jamila Nawaz Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1489 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1489 This article argues that there are contradictions between gender goals and policies and the aspirations of irrigation professionals, which are embedded in the incentive structure of the bureaucracy. In addition, the dominant professional culture of irrigation engineers is strongly masculine, linking professional performance to masculinity. The prevailing incentives and culture of the irrigation bureaucracy stand in the way of achieving any real progress in terms of gender goals. This article is based on evidence collected through an in-depth study of the irrigation bureaucracy in Nepal between 2001 and 2007. Author: Pranita B. Udas Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1490 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1490 In total, women spend around six to seven years of their lives menstruating. A key priority for women and girls is to have the necessary knowledge, facilities and cultural environment to manage menstruation hygienically, and with dignity. Yet, the importance of menstrual hygiene management is mostly neglected by development practitioners within the WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) sector, and other related sectors such as reproductive health. This article explores the reasons why menstrual hygiene management is not generally included in WASH initiatives, the social and health impacts of this neglect on women and girls, and provides examples of successful approaches to tackling menstrual hygiene in WASH in the South Asia region. Author: Thérèse Mahon Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1491 http://www.genderanddevelopment.org/display.asp?K=002J1491 This article discusses the impact of drought on livelihoods of agro-based rural communities in the Volta Region of Ghana, and how rural women and men attempt to survive during drought periods. Drought, which negatively affects both women and men in some respects, affects women more due to their combined reproductive and productive workload. Focusing on the Volta Rural Water Supply Project, the article suggests that to reduce women's excessive workload, seasonal migration of men, and hunger arising from drought, development organisations need to incorporate irrigation into rural water supply projects in agro-based economies that are drought-prone. As well, it suggests that equal and full involvement of women in planning and implementation of water projects is essential. Author: Frank S. Arku Thu, 25 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT