Can water professionals meet gender goals? A case study of the Department of Irrigation in Nepal

Abstract

This article argues that there are contradictions between gender goals and policies and the aspirations of irrigation professionals, which are embedded in the incentive structure of the bureaucracy. In addition, the dominant professional culture of irrigation engineers is strongly masculine, linking professional performance to masculinity. The prevailing incentives and culture of the irrigation bureaucracy stand in the way of achieving any real progress in terms of gender goals. This article is based on evidence collected through an in-depth study of the irrigation bureaucracy in Nepal between 2001 and 2007.

Keywords:

• irrigation bureaucracy
• gender goals
• organisational culture
• professional identity
• Nepal

Notes

1. Our study included an assessment of the how staff at different levels of the DOI think about, and act on, gender. Results of this assessment are beyond the scope of this paper, and will be reported elsewhere.

2. We thank NWO (the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) for financing this PhD study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pranita B. Udas

Pranita B. Udas is involved in PhD research entitled ‘Gendered Participation in Water Management in Nepal: Discourses, Policy and Practices’ at the Irrigation Water Engineering Group of Wageningen University

Margreet Z. Zwarteveen

Margreet Z. Zwarteveen is a Lecturer and Researcher at the Irrigation and Water Engineering Group of Wageningen University, the Netherlands at the Centre for Water and Climate, and is a member of the Gender Analysis Group in the University