Assessment of gender integration in community based water management institutions: a case study of a Gravity Fed-water Supply in Chingale area

Gender concern in water resources management has been globally recognized as instrumental in achieving efficiency, effectiveness, equity and sustainability in the sector hence essential for poverty alleviation and achieving sustainable development. However, efforts to adopt a gender approach in the water sector face a lot of constraints such as lack of proper policies to be successful and find ground in the local communities. Clear gender policies are needed in water resources management in order to specifically address gender disparity and discrimination mainly perpetuated by cultural practices or norms in the communities. This study investigates how gender issues are being effected in a gravity-fed piped water supply scheme, a very good example of a project (program) fully developed and based on the principle of subsidiarity and community participation in Chingale area in Malawi. The study explores some of the factors that hinder active participation and involvement of men and women in the local water committees and reviews the effectiveness of water policy strategies formulated to guide integration of gender at all levels. By citing case studies around the globe, this paper argues that adoption of a gender approach in the local institutions in Chingale (and possibly elsewhere) can lead to improved performance of the water institutions and the water supply schemes.