Sourcebook for gender issues at the policy level in the water and sanitation sector

This sourcebook provides information and methods related to gender and development policy issues for agency staff in the water supply and sanitation sector. The first chapter considers gender issues within the sector, discussing their relevance to sector principles formulated at the 1992 International Conference on Water and the Environment in Dublin. Chapter two analyzes gender issues at the policy level. It defines the policy level, presents a historical overview of agency women in development and gender and development policies, and presents concepts from the new institutional economics - with its dual focus on the institutional environment and the interaction among institutions - to assist with analysis.

The third chapter reviews the experiences of UNICEF, of the bilateral agencies from Denmark, Sweden and Finland (DANIDA, SIDA, and FINNIDA respectively) in Tanzania, and national agencies in Morocco and the Philippines of implementing gender aspects of polices. Chapter four examines the various methods organizations have utilized over the years while chapter five takes a look at one of the most common methods: training. The last chapter summarizes some of the lessons encountered in the previous sections and pinpoints areas that need further study. The sourcebook ends with the following annexes: Overview of agency policies on gender and development; Overview of agency policies for gender issues in the water and sanitation sector; list of members of the Gender Issues Working Group of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council; and Chart concerning gender issues at the policy level.