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This paper explores where and how irrigation policies, planning, design and management can and should pay attention to gender.

TitleGender issues, water issues : a gender perspective to irrigation management
Publication TypeBook
Year of Publication1994
AuthorsZwarteveen, MZ
Secondary TitleWorking paper / IIMI
Volumeno. 32
Paginationviii, 62 p.
Date Published1994-01-01
PublisherInternational Irrigation Management Institute
Place PublishedColombo, Sri Lanka
ISBN Number9290903120
Keywordsadministration, cab95/2, gender, irrigation, men, planning, projects, water management, women
Abstract

This paper explores where and how irrigation policies, planning, design and management can and should pay attention to gender. It starts with a review of a number of documented irrigation examples to find out why many irrigation projects have persistently failed to accommodate prevailing gender relations, to the detriment of both the well-being of women and success of projects. The general conclusion of the paper lists those gender biases that are persistent in irrigation planning and management. Opportunities for improving the performance of irrigation through a more realistic assessment of gender relations are explored. Although sustaining gender biases in irrigation policy, planning and management is sometimes functional to the achievement of performance objectives, often there will be trade-offs in terms of health and environment. A focus on gender it is argued will draw attention to changes induced by irrigation interventions (especially in the areas of nutrition, health and environment) that normally escape the notice of irrigation professionals; it will enable to effectively devise institutional and legal frameworks that recognise and support existing rights and powers of all stakeholders; it will assist in making the provision of information and support services more effective by targeting them to the category of people responsible for using them; and it will help to devise effective irrigation intervention strategies. The paper ends with an assessment of the empowering potential of changes in irrigation management practices and institutions.

Notes74 ref.
Custom 1202.1, 272.2

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