Likimyelesh Nigussie March 9, 2016 Gender Aspect of Water Allocation and Water Use at Koga Irrigation scheme Likimyelesh Nigussie March 9, 2016

Overview Background of Koga Irrigation scheme Background of IWMI LIVES Project Results: Gender analysis Time and labour use Participation in IWUA (as member and as leader) Benefit sharing Conclusion

Background of Koga Irrigation Scheme

Continued….. Constructed by Abay Basin Authority to irrigate 7000 ha of land, to produce cereals and horticulture, such as: potato, onions, maize and wheat. It is designed to irrigate 0.25 ha of land for 3 hours, every eight days, on average. It has twelve blocks. All farmers who have plots in the service area are eligible to irrigate The three institutions that manage irrigation water allocation are : Abay Basin Authority, Bureau of Agriculture and IWUAs.

Continued….. Role of each institution in water allocation is as follows: Agronomists from Bureau of agriculture measure size of each farmer’s irrigable land, and provide the information to ABA. ABA using the size of irrigable land allocates water to each farmer. IWUA is responsible for fair distribution of water from the scheme to farmer’s field. Existing problem: Rough estimate of irrigation water allocation, sometimes causes conflict between IWUAs and users and among users.

Background IWMI LIVES Project IWMI LIVES project pilots Wetting front Detector (WFD) in four blocks since 2014 to farmers and IWUAs, to promote evidence based water distribution IWUA Assessment was made to understand the water allocation and water use process of Koga Irrigation scheme, before the introduction of WFD Gender aspect of water allocation and water use (to understand the constraints men and women users have and the benefit they get from using the irrigation.

Gender aspect of assessment on irrigation water allocation and use A. Time and labour use B. Participation in IWUA (as member and as leader) C. Benefit sharing

A. Time and Labour use Roles Men Headed Households Women in male headed households Female headed households Irrigated farming (land preparation, seedling, weeding, irrigating, harvesting, piling, threshing and others) Women and men Women and adult men member of the HH – but rare) Irrigated farming (ploughing with oxen, making bed, and digging) Men Adult male members, hired labour (recently some women have started doing these) Canal cleaning (very laborious task) - Only when the men are not around Domestic work Adult women and girls Sell produce to market Sometime accompany men, while going to market Women

Implications: Women are overburdened when compared to men. Women work long hours Women have limited time for self development such as: networking, other opportunities, participation in IWUAs as members and leader and others.

B. Low participation of women in IWUAs (as member and leader) Factors Men’s Perception Women’s (FHH and WiMHH) perception Work load Work load of women (in domestic and productive work) Can manage their time to attend in meetings and to serve as a leader Women are rarely invited to meetings Invitations are sent to MHH or adult male member of FHH. The trend so far has been inviting MHH that can better represent the HHs ideas and needs Almost all WiMHH think that men can better represent the HH and their needs, while some FHH think that they can equally participate to meetings, but they are usually not invited. Capacity in contributing ideas to meetings Mostly shy to speak in public Mostly, Shy to speak in publlic Capacity in conflict resolution (to serve as a leader) Think that women are emotional that they have lower capacity to resolve conflicts from water allocation and use Wanted to serve as leader, but from some experience, their leadership is challenged by attitudes of men users. Their ideas are less valued.

Implications Male dominate IWUA governance, participation and decision making. Ideas, needs interests and concerns of women are not well considered in IWUAs. Women have limited opportunity for empowerment (such as public speaking and influence decisions).

C. Benefit (income) sharing Parameter Male headed households Women in male headed households Female headed households Responsible for sale of produce Men Sometimes accompany the men Women Have control over the income Men have overall control Have access but not control Limited access to control over income for women in male headed households.

Conclusion Gender disparity exists in terms of workload, participation in IWUAs (as leaders and members) and in sharing benefits. IWUAs need to consider inviting women to enhance their participation Development projects should be carefully designed for gender inclusivity