1. Principals and Best Practice for realizing Gender Inclusion and Equity in Sustainable Water and Sanitation Services in Africa Rosemary Rop Water and Sanitation Program-Africa April 14 th , 2010

3. Presentation Outline Understanding Gender Why Gender in WSS in Africa? Gaps and Best Practices Principles

5. Gender differs from sex SEX GENDER Natural Cultural Inborn Acquired Doesn’t change to the extent of performing sex roles Is Dynamic Is God given Is taught by society through social institutions Is Universal Is Culture Specific

6. Gender differences in WSS Men Women Identify water points for animals Fetch water for domestic use Are consulted where to locate and also how to design have communal water points Own no land and cannot make decisions on positions for water points Are natural leaders and should be majority in Watsan committees and decision making in the sector. Are shy and natural followers and should not be exposed to leadership even in Watsan committees or in decision making Men are involved when water and sanitation acquires an economic and productive status. Women require access to water and sanitation for domestic use and social welfare only.

7. African Gender Tree Fruit One woman chairperson in a total of 20 water points committees; No women involved in productive water activities; Many women attend communal meetings but very few of them contribute ideas Trunk Channels: Family, Church, Songs and stories Schools, Language Roots Beliefs, Stereotypes & Practices Men are alert/ leaders/ discuss Fruit Trunk Roots

8. Presentation Outline Understanding Gender Why Gender in WSS in Africa? Gaps and Best Practices Principles

10. Presentation Outline Understanding Gender Why Gender in WSS in Africa? Gaps and Best Practices Principles

12. Policy level good practice Gender policies and ministries to oversee sector level mainstreaming Existence of policies to incorporate gender in the management of water Affirmative action policies to realize equal representation in decision making at all levels in the sector Gender targets to realize economic development through water for productive uses

13. Institutional good practice Dedicated budget and human resources such as focal points for gender mainstreaming, capacity building and strategy implementation Institutional reviews to ensure that human resources are balanced within ministries to reflect parity Gender working groups comprising non state actors chaired by the ministry of water to support gender mainstreaming Human resource policies that support affirmative action or provide equal opportunity to both men and women and respect special needs (paternity, maternity leave) Outreach to feeding institutions, e.g. Women in Science, modeling to girls to pursue technical subjects to engage in the sector Sector agencies define strategies to address gender at community level, and ensure their voices are heard at all levels of project implementation and management

14. Community good practice Capacity strengthening targeting women, youth and marginalized groups to engage in WSS management Strengthening autonomy of women and their self determination with respect to usage, selection of service types, levels of service and cost Creating a framework of cooperation between men and women in society to exploit capacity of both

15. Presentation Outline Understanding Gender Why Gender in WSS in Africa? Gaps and Best Practices Principles

17. Thank You for Your Attention!