Women's Participation in the Community Management of Irrigated Water: The Case of Afghanistan and Tajikistan

There is a little research into how gender dynamics influence women's participation in Water Users Associations (WUAs), which are community-based organizations. This study aims to explore whether and how WUAs contribute to un(equal) gender participation and decision-making. We conduct a comparative case study between Afghanistan, our primary focus, and WUAs in Tajikistan. In Afghanistan, we selected three WUAs in three districts of Herat province and used a mix of method approaches, including a household survey, individual interviews with WUA members, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. We used insights from Feminist Political Ecology, providing a framework to analyze the complex interplay between gender, power dynamics, and environmental issues within WUAs. The data from Tajikistan are derived from a literature review. Our findings reveal that WUAs do not ensure equitable gender participation. Instead, we observe two main forms of women's exclusion and unequal participation: the first arises from the structure of WUAs, and the second is attributed to patriarchal attitudes and the prevalence of socio-cultural norms, which have become more prevalent than the first form. While women's involvement in decision-making within WUAs is lacking in both Afghanistan and Tajikistan, it is particularly limited in Afghanistan due to stricter patriarchal norms. In Afghanistan, women's engagement in WUAs is mediated by cultural and religious notions of honor and shame. We explain women's exclusion from WUAs, mainly referring to honor and shame that men use for constructing their sense of identity. In Tajikistan, women's participation has increased as a result of male outmigration and agricultural feminization, which have challenged gender norms, and more women have been involved in irrigated agriculture, with women being given more roles and responsibilities in irrigation fields and participating in WUAs. Although they serve in subordinate positions such as fee collectors, Mirobs, and secretaries, their involvement in leadership and decision-making is minimal. The analysis of the two cases puts into question the notion that community-based reforms, such as WUAs, can lead to equitable participation and women's empowerment unless women are included in the decision-making process within those communities. Our research highlights that women's needs and perspectives are still excluded from key decisions, and participatory practices are not yet empowering. However, International Organizations (IOs) can play a pivotal role by addressing socio-cultural barriers, promoting women's leadership, and supporting reforms that enable their inclusion in decision-making. This suggests that initiatives driven by IOs could shift gender norms and foster more inclusive and equitable practices within WUAs.