While some of the literature examined in this blog dates
back across the last 20 years, this article provides a current example of an
integrated water management project: the designation of two or three dams to be
built in South Africa by solely women-owned companies. Of course, because the
project has only just begun, we are unable to evaluate its sustainability.
However, what is clear from this article is that women’s role in water access
is being recognised on political agendas.
Yet one must ask the question, is this approach to water
management projects the answer? Surely we should aspire to integrate men and
women in water management at all levels, not just company ownership, as is the
natural future path for sustainable water management in Africa. As such,
perhaps this is more a project to prove a point and change attitudes about the
role of women in water management, rather than fundamentally shaking up the
male dominated water sector.
This is a fantastic start of your blog, I really appreciate that you offer a very clear and nuanced understanding of the connection between gender and water being more than a case of 'including' women into water discussions/management, but thinking more about the types of different arenas of management men and women are having. Well done!
ReplyDeleteIn your second post, you usefully raise the issue of men's responsibilities in the household, which I agree is very overlooked much of the time. I would additionally add that it's not only about exploring the possibilities for shared responsibilities in collection, but also about examining who is in charge of decision-making and resource distribution in the household.
You raise some interesting questions in your last post, and I would pose to you the question: isn't challenging attitudes a fundamental aspect of any 'fundamental shake up' of status quo assumptions..?