Gender and IWRM

Gender and IWRM

Nazmun NaherM.Sc Candidate

Bioresource Engineering – IWRMMarch 24, 2016

Outline

Gender Concept Why gender matters in IWRM Gender in IWRM: Facts How to integrate gender in IWRM Benefits by integrating gender in

IWRM

Gender Concept

Culturally and socially constructed difference between men and women that varies from place to place and time to time

Gender Vs SexPower relations (hierarchy)Race, class, religion, economic

statusGender doesn’t mean only

womanUse broad meaning of gender: gender+

Equity and EqualityTo obtain gender development, equity is the process which will bring equality:

IWRM principles

Gender is one of the major principles in IWRM which says,

“Women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water”

Gender and IWRM: Facts

• The average distance that women and children walk for water in Africa and Asia is six kilometers (3.7 miles).

• Women carry heavy loads of water (about 20 liters) on their heads in some locations in the world. This causes severe damage to the neck and spine over time.

Gender and IWRM: Facts

• In many places in the world, women’s are unable to access water for agricultural uses.

Gender and IWRM: Facts

• Women are primary caretakers of the millions of children that fall ill each year from water-related illnesses

Gender and IWRM: Facts

• For mothers and pregnant women, an improved water supply and proper water storage is essential to protect lives and ensure good health.

• Women are under-represented in water and sanitation sector jobs with men having most jobs in this field.

In 2016 the WWD theme “Water and jobs”

Gender and IWRM: why it is important?

o Two important reasons: o because women are just as much affected by decisions

made with regards to water as men are ando women also mange water resources in her everyday life

o A woman is both a farmer/professional and sees many things that men don’t

o Moreover one of the SDGs (SDG#5) is promote gender equality and empower woman

Integration of gender in IWRM: but how?

Appreciate women’s work, also if it is not paidCalculate what the unpaid work of women Gender budgeting approachInclude gender indicators for M & ECheck the national and regional budgets to see how

much is to be spent for women, and how much for men

Always include minorities and broad definition of gender

Benefits by integrating gender

Efficiency, effectiveness and social equity will be ensured, which are the three major pillars of IWRM.

References:

•Colin Mayfield, Introduction to IWRM, United Nations Water Virtual Learning Centre•http://www.gwp.org/•http://genderandwater.org/en•http://waterfortheages.org/2009/12/02/10-facts-on-women-and-water/•Jean Burton, 2003. Integrated water resources management on a basin level. A training manual, ISBN 92-9220-003-8•Image retrieved from UN Woman, UN water, Wikimedia commons, everydayfemenism, GWP, and GWA

Q & AFor further queries:

nazmun.naher@mail.mcgill.canazmun.mita@outlook.com