Chapter 1 Introduction to the Guide

1.1. What is this Resource Guide?

This is the second edition of the Resource Guide on Mainstreaming Gender in Water Management of August 2006, which was first published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2003. The Guide is a reference document to assist water and gender practitioners and professionals as well as persons responsible for gender mainstreaming, and anybody else who is interested in the water sector. It is a compilation of newer resources – documents, papers, books, case studies, tools and toolkits - on gender mainstreaming in Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM). It is meant to support action and further reading and research. New sector overviews have been added, particularly those relating to current issues and debates. Url-links as valid by mid 2006 are included. However they tend to keep changing, and we suggest you try and find new links before enquiring with the publishers.

1.2. Why was it developed?

The Guide was developed in response to an identified need for information on gender mainstreaming in IWRM. While considerable information exits, it is dispersed among different institutions and organizations, making it difficult to know where to get specific resources for particular aspects of gender mainstreaming in the water sectors. This Guide supports the efforts of those trying to mainstream gender in their programmes and projects and those seeking to improve their knowledge and skills in gender and IWRM.

1.3. What are its objectives?

The resource guide is meant to:

• Facilitate access to available literature and resources regarding gender and IWRM;

• Improve the sustainability and effectiveness of water-related activities through incorporation of gender equality and diversity or social equity analysis;
• Improve understanding and awareness of gender concepts through an easy reference to existing materials, cases, and tools; and
• Improve approaches to the planning, implementation, management and monitoring of IWRM.

1.4. How was it developed?

The development of the Resource Guide has been an interactive process involving consultants, water practitioners, gender specialists and programme officers working in different water sectors and in different continents. The compilation of this 2nd edition was coordinated by the Gender and Water Alliance (GWA) with the technical contribution of the International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC). The GWA, IRC, and CapNet, collaborated in this effort while the UNDP provided the financing.

1.5. How should it be used?

The Resource Guide is not a set of guidelines, nor is it a step-by-step tool kit for gender mainstreaming. It is a reference guide that should be used in conjunction with the texts and materials to which it refers. It gives a brief overview and summary of issues within the different sub-sectors of IWRM and is designed to raise awareness and promote learning and analysis on the relevant social equity and gender issues. Chapters and sections make it easy for those interested in particular topics to specifically zero in on them. It may be useful to review those sections of interest first, rather than trying to read the Guide from cover to cover. Other sections provide users with additional materials and resources that are valuable for a holistic approach to water resources management