Wedlock Or Deadlock? Feminists' Attempts to Engage Irrigation Engineers

This research has its roots in de evidence that was produced in the eighties on the detrimental impact of irrigation projects on gender equality. Why it is that irrigation development negatively affects gender equality? Out of an explicit feminist commitment, the linkages between gender (in-equality and irrigation development are explored from two different angles. The first angle consists of a critical discussion of current theories that underlie irrigation planning and policies. In many ways, these theories make it difficult to properly recognize and accommodate gender relations. At the same time they are based on an incomplete and often inadequate understanding of these relations. The second angle consists of a number of case studies undertaken in different countries (Nepal, Sri Lanka, Niger, Burkina Faso) to empirically explore how and where gender relations affect and are affected by irrigation management policies and practices.