Gender Mainstreaming

There are several areas relating to water which concern women, such as domestic water supply or irrigation water use where women are the owners of the irrigated lands, but women are excluded in matters pertaining to water development and management. Women are virtually absent form public sector departments that deal with water. The NGO sector has limited participation of women as does the private sector. Although women are not formally banned from joining the Water User Association (WUAs), they do not find a representation in them. Irrigation management is generally considered to be the domain of men. There has been some effort to involve women in village level committees that are organized for the provision of domestic water supply and sanitation. These efforts need to be strengthened and built upon.

 

Core Challenges/Issues

 

• How do we ensure that aspirations of both genders are incorporated in the decision-making regarding the planning, management, operation and maintenance of water resources.
• How do we ensure participation of women and the more vulnerable section of society in decision-making of water resources that directly impacts their workload, productivity and incomes.
• How do we ensure equal access to both genders in their allocation and use of water resources.

 

Core Objective

• The existing gender disparities in Pakistan are so severe that they first need to be rectified through a focused approach which directly improves women's access, decision-making and participation in the use, management and development of water resources. To recognize that women's needs are legitimate and deserve the same level of consideration as those of other users.
• Once the above is achieved, to mainstream  gender perspective in the water sector to ensure that the interests and needs of women as well as those of men are systematically pursued in the development of all national/regional policies and programs. Attention to gender issues should not be confined to a sector called "Women's Development" or addressed through isolated or marginal programs within the water sector
• Ensuring effective women's participation in decision-making at all levels regarding water resources and in decisions which directly or indirectly impact their workload, productivity and incomes.

Strategies

• Greater awareness raising about the necessity of incorporating gender concerns and a gender orientation in institutions dealing with the water sector.
• Creation of institutional forums at the village and neighborhood level which enable female participation and representation in the use of village level resources.
• Enhance the incentives and opportunities for women professionals to join the public and private sector institutions dealing with water sector.

Proposed Action

 

• Build capacity to increase the understanding of gender implications for water management, as part of an effort to empower women so that they can acquire the skills to enter water management at a senior level. This involves an increase in technical and scientific education offered to women.
• A proactive effort to gender sensitize water management approaches at senior policy making levels in national structure as part of a strategy to ensure equity and increased women's involvement in these process.
• Genre training for men and women working in water-related national and regional bodies, non-governmental organizations and private water companies.