Why gender matters: a tutorial for water managers

There are significant gender differences in use, access and management of water. In many cases, gender discrimination can limit the women’s and men’s chances to access vital water resources, by placing restriction in their autonomy. This tutorial is primarily aimed at those people interested in or responsible for managing water resources. The authors show how addressing gender will improve efficiency of water use and environmental sustainability. A gender approach will also improve social benefits and equity from use of our water resources.

The tutorial covers the basic concepts of water management including how to achive environmental sustainability, the gender barriers. It considers how to get environmental benefits and economic efficiency from gender. The document covers a number of key areas. For each area the problems are outlined and the benefits of a gender approach are examined. The authors then outline how to achieve benefits and keep them. 

 Key areas covered in this document are:

• the water supply sector
• sanitation
• agriculture
• environment

A comprehensive list of resources is provided at the end of the tutorial including selected references, manuals and general tools.