"Playing the Gender Card": gendered dimensions within the rural water supply sector in Namibia

The relevance of gender in rural water supply has been well established by a number of scholars. In this paper, the contradictory views of different actors for gender roles are explored, as well as how the gender pillar is manipulated by various actors within the development sphere.

The study examines four dimensions of gender within the rural water supply using Namibia as a case study: perspectives of different actors on gender roles in Namibia; how gender and culture are inevitably interwoven; gender roles in management of rural water resources; and how gender as an issue is used to manipulate outcomes, or how the 'gender card' is used in the development power play. Donors generally have deep concern for gender-related factors, such as women's management and participation in water projects and the positive impact water project have on the lives and status of girls and women. This enables different actors to use gender to set the development agenda and in some cases to string donors along. Conclusions also indicate that westernized development dialogue of gender roles in rural water supply is dualistic and that historical frameworks are of value for analyzing the gendered aspects of water.

Erla Hlín Hjálmarsdóttir, UNU-GEST Head of Research presents her paper on the gendered dimensions within the rural water supply sector in Namibia at Þjóðarspegillinn conference 28 October. The paper presentation will be held in room Oddi 206 at 13:00 at the University of Iceland. The event is in English and open to all.