Gender dimensions of community-based groundwater governance in ethiopia: Using citizen science as an entry point

Sammanfattning

Understanding the gender dimensions of community-based groundwater governance is important because men and women differ in (i) their needs, level of access to and benefits from having access to groundwater; (ii) their participation in groundwater management and development; and (iii) their willingness to participate in groundwater monitoring. Women play a leading role in obtaining and safeguarding water. However, this role is not usually reflected in the institutional arrangements for water management. Addressing the gender inequality in groundwater governance could lead to equal participation of men and women in groundwater monitoring, women’s empowerment and the sustainability of groundwater management. Participation by men and women in groundwater management would also give them the opportunity to explore, learn and share information about groundwater, which is critical for sustainability. This paper explores gender aspects of community-based groundwater governance in Dangeshta and Farawocha kebeles in Dangila and Boloso Bombe woredas, respectively, in Ethiopia. Data and information were collected through a literature review, in-depth discussions with key informants at the woreda level, separate household interviews with spouses, and focus group discussions with men’s and women’s groups in the communities. The findings suggest that women place a high value on groundwater and could be motivated to play a greater role in governance of the resource. However, the constraints that women face in participating in groundwater development and management, particularly exclusion from decision-making, suggest that their effective participation and leadership could be significantly curtailed without specific interventions. Indeed, this is reflected in women’s willingness to participate in groundwater monitoring, as well as men’s reluctance to allow their wives to participate. This is in contrast to a high number of men willing to participate. Citizen science as an entry point for community-based groundwater governance relies on (i) the active involvement of myriad actors (including men and women citizens) whose actions interact with the hydrological processes; and (ii) volunteer interest (i.e., willingness to participate). A gender-sensitive approach to programs, gender awareness training, and partnerships with organizations working for women’s empowerment, natural resource management and adult literacy are recommended to support a citizen science approach to groundwater monitoring.

Publicerad i

IWMI Working paper
2018, volym: 2018, nummer: 184
Utgivare: International Water Management Institute

SLU författare

• Barron, Jennie

  • Institutionen för mark och miljö, Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet
    

UKÄ forskningsämne

Genusstudier

Publikationens identifierare

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.5337/2018.222
• ISBN: 978-92-9090-873-9

Permanent länk till denna sida (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/130275