Influence of water governance and socio-cultural factors on women’s participation in water management decisions and conflict resolution in Rwanda and Kenya.

Abstract

Conflicts over water resources have profound implications for women who utilize water resources to meet domestic and productive needs. The critical contribution of women to the management of these water conflicts is overlooked and underappreciated. This dual role as primary water users and the under recognition of their peace efforts underscores their vulnerability to the impacts of water conflicts and highlights the importance of understanding their roles in conflict resolution processes. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the influence of water governance and socio-cultural factors on women’s participation in water management decisions and conflict resolution in Rwanda and Kenya. Tuyiteho Mukunguli Water Users Association (TMWUA) in Rwanda and Nyando Water Resource Users Association (NWRUA) in Kenya were used as case studies. Specific objectives were to assess the efficacy Integrated Water Resources Management Framework (IWRM) in enhancing women’s participation in water resource conflict resolution, determine the impacts of socio-cultural factors on women’s participation in decision making and conflict resolution processes and evaluate the effectiveness of water regulations in Rwanda and Kenya in promoting women’s participation in water governance. Using a cross-sectional research design, 244 women respondents from TMWUA and 140 from NWRUA were selected through proportionate stratified sampling. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. Study findings reveal that application of IWRM framework has been effective in enhancing women’s participation in water resource conflict resolution. The success rate of water conflict resolution in TMWUA was 80.86% while in NWRUA it was 51.52%. Despite minimal perceived influence of socio-cultural factors on decision making, disparities in women's inclusion in water governance, data dissemination, stakeholder engagement, and pollution management exist between the two countries, with TMWUA in the positive lead. There are still a mixture of challenges and successes that reduced the effectiveness of institutional and legal water policy frameworks. The major challenges were insufficient funding, poor committee leadership, members’ intra conflicts and lack of transparency and accountability. The study recommends that there is need for strengthening the capacity of water associations to effectively manage conflicts and promote women’s participation in decision making through sustained funding, regular trainings and transparent leadership. Results from this study will benefit policy makers, watershed planners and governments in designing gender inclusive policies and programs.