Gender Relations in the Management of Community Water Projects. The Case of Mbiuni Location, Machakos District

Abstract

TIlls study discusses the gender relations in the management of community water projects in Mbiuni Location ofMachakos District. The main objective of the study is to explore the various socio- cultural factors that influence participation and decision- making of both men and women in water projects management. The study was guided by the social relations approach that recommends social analysis of different institutions in order to understand how these social differences and irregularities in roles, responsibilities, claims and power are reproduced and reinforced by the same institutions. A total of III projects participants were randomly sampled and interviewed using structured questionnaire. Further, 10 key informants were interviewed using unstructured questionnaire. The analysis showed that the management of water projects in Mbiuni Location of Machakos District is not given a gendered approach f due to rigid cultural practises that leads to Male dominance in the water management committee. This has constantly continued to undermine the women's ability to access, use and participate effectively in the management of water resources. It is then recommended in this study that, there is need for the policy makers to mainstream: I:' gender in all stages of water project management. A complete re-thinking of the underlying social structures especially those, which discriminate against women at both the family and community levels, needs to be done.