Factors Affecting Women’s Participation in the Leadership of Irrigation Water Users Association
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Date
2022-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In the study Woreda, women comprise 18% of the IWUA which worsened in the leadership positions. This study analyzes factors affecting women’s participation in the IWUA leadership. Four IWUAs were selected purposively from Wolmera Woreda and data was collected through FGD and in-depth and key informant interviews and analyzed thematically. The study shows that on average there are about 11% of women on the committees but none of them are holding the leadership position which is defined in this study as chairperson, deputy chairperson, and secretary of the committees. The main hindering factors for this, as identified in the study, include the existing IWUA proclamation and regulation, which doesn’t state women’s representation in IWUA leadership, and the one person per household representation rule which left out married women in the male-headed households. In addition, women’s workload, lack of access to information, and communities’ perception of women’s leadership were also identified as hindering factors. For not participating in IWUA leadership, women lack capacity building opportunities and the opportunity to learn from each other and share their concerns. Hence this study recommends addressing structural barriers by revising the existing IWUA regulation and developing implementation guidelines to deliberately engage women in the IWUA leadership with commitment. Addressing the root causes of inequality through promotion of gender transformative approaches to enhance women’s access to and control over resources and decision-making power at all levels is also recommended. In addition, tailor-made support is required at all level to ensure participation in IWUA leadership.
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Keywords
IWUA, Women, Leadership, participation. irrigation