The challenges facing women participation in rural water provision: a case study of Kabati, Kitui district

Abstract

Participation emerged in the 1970s as a new force in development, and since then literature on development has highlighted an increasing support of participation, culminating in creation of new and systematic approach to development. It is now widely recognised that community participation especially by women is essential to the success of water provision in developing countries. This is because women are the major users of water system inrural areas and have manyideas about how this could be improved. It is essential to increase women role inwater sector both as beneficiaries of, and contributors to its development. This in turn requires the identification of specificproblems and constraints underwhich such contribution takes place. However literature on participation has focused too much on the promotion of participation and its virtues and has given little attention to the challenges facing the development of participation,challenges which must be explored. This study therefore was an attempt to identify relevant issues and gaps in the area of women participationin water provision in rural areas. It was done as a case study in Kabati Division, KituiDistrict. The target group consists ofthe members of registered water projects. The main areas of investigation included sources of water and exten~ of water problemsinthe division, and constraints to participation. The study shm{ that water is a central factor around which households and farm duties are organised. Water is fetched by women, often assisted by children who cover an average distance of four kilometres per day. The residents rely on open, unimproved surface water sources which are prone to contamination. Due to water scarcity, women in the area have come together to form water projects to solve the problem. The study also revealed that factors that inhibit women's participation in water projects are social, economical, technical and political. These arise due to mistakes or shortcomings associated with planners, donor agencies, the community and the role of government in monitoring and evaluation of water projects. To ensure full participation of women in rural water projects practical action is needed. There is need to know the challenges that women face in their participation and look for ways in which they can be overcome. The study has found itjustifiable for women to be involved in all stages of water projects to promote development and ensures project sustainability. Donors should support institutional structures in place and government should provide an enabling environment under-which fullwomen participation can occur.