Influence of One Third Gender Rule on Gender Participation in Management of Water Projects in Njoro Sub-County, Kenya

Abstract

In Kenya the importance of one third gender rule in management of rural water supply projects has often been emphasized, yet the implementation of the policy has not been fully operationalized into action. Project managers and management committees in rural water projects have not perceived the importance of gender aspects as potential contributor to sustainability of water supplies projects. However, the dynamics of power relations between women and men in management committees is commonly influenced by socio-cultural factors that perpetuate the subordinate position of women in management affairs of water projects. In Njoro sub-county some water management committees, do not put into consideration one third gender rule in electing or appointing leaders in leadership position. This paper therefore focuses on one third gender rule on water resource management in Kenya with the intension of filling the gap between policy and practice.

Key words: One-third gender policy, Gender participation, Water projects, Management.