‘Good’ water governance and gender equity: a troubled relationship

Abstract

This paper sets out a framework for understanding water governance, arguing that a narrow focus on gender-sensitive mechanisms of water delivery (such as committees, tariffs, technologies) is insufficient to ensure gender equitable outcomes. We need to expand our analysis of water governance in two directions. Firstly, to understand the ways in which societal resources are allocated (through economic policies, legislation etc) and so shape mechanisms in particular ways. Secondly, to consider how different people are able to influence the outcomes of particular governance arrangements to produce gendered outcomes (for health and well-being, access and livelihoods, and for political voice).

Keywords:

• water governance
• gender
• equity
• social institutions

Notes

1. For more detailed explanations of the framework and worked examples, see Franks and Cleaver (2007) and Cleaver et al. (2005).

2. This account is also informed by personal correspondence with Simon Howarth and Gladys Nott in 2007 and 2008.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Frances Cleaver

Dr Frances Cleaver is the Director of the Water for Africa Research Project at the School of Oriental and African Studies

Kristin Hamada

Kristin Hamada is the administrator for the Water for Africa Research Project at the School of Oriental and African Studies