Dissertation: Master of Arts in Project Management and Evaluation
Understanding the gender mainstreaming in water resources management from the
insider's perspective is central to determining gender roles of women and men at the
community level. Literature indicates that gender mainstreaming is viewed as donor
demand rather than management tool of water resources hence lacking the deeper
understanding from the insider's perspective. The overall objective of this study was
therefore to examine the extent of gender mainstreaming in water resources management
project in Gairo District. Specifically, the study analysed strategies used by WARIDI
project in gender mainstreaming in water resources management project, evaluated the
effect of institutional arrangement on gender relations in water resources management,
assessed existing gender dynamics in water resource governance, and explored the
constraints of integrating gender in water resource management at the project and
community level. The study was conducted in Gairo District, Morogoro Region, a cross-
sectional design was adopted during data collection where both qualitative and
quantitative data were collected. Content and descriptive analyses were used to analyse
data collected, through interviews and focus group discussions. The findings indicate that
the position of women and men were recognized by community in project area and some
of high leadership positions were held by women in formal water resource management
institutions. It was also revealed there are gender inequalities in water resource
management particularly in informal institutions. Also the study found that formal and
informal institutions were very powerful depending on the sources of water available
within the community. It is concluded that WARIDI’s efforts to mainstream gender was
partially achieved due to existing gender inequalities. The study recommends WARIDI
project to extent efforts to address gender inequalities in natural sources of water at Gairo
district.