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EC- DG
Research
6th Framework Programme
GEWAMED
Project n°: INCO-CT-2005-517696
Project acronym: GEWAMED
Project title: “MAINSTREAMING GENDER DIMENSIONS INTO WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION”
Instrument: Coordinated Action
Thematic Priority: Specific Measures in Support of International Cooperation (FP6-2003-INCO-MPC-2)
Deliverable No. 15
Organization and undertaking of a national policy seminar in each of the SEMR countries
Due date of deliverable: 36th Month
Actual submission date: 37th Month
Period covered: From 15 February 2006 to 15 February 2009
Start date of the Project: 15 February 2006
Project Duration: 4 years
Project Coordinator: Dr. Nicola Lamaddalena
Project Manager Mr. Juan Antonio Sagardoy
Organisation name of lead contractor for this deliverable
NWRC- SRU and EE.AA (Egypt)
Date of preparation of report : February 2009
Revision No. 1
Report of National Seminar
On
Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th
January, 2009
Cairo House - Egypt
by
Strategic Research Unit
National Water Research Center
Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
&
Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
Ministry of State for Environmental Affair
February, 2009
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 1
This report has been prepared for demonstrating the
objectives and the exertion of the national seminar On Key
policy to Mainstreaming Gender in Water Management. The
seminar was held in Cairo - Egypt on the 18th January 2009.
The seminar was organized within the framework of
GEWAMED project by the project’s partners in Egypt,
Strategic Research Unit - National Water Research Center-
Ministry of Water Resources and irrigation in collaboration
with Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency - Ministry of
State for Environmental Affair. The report presents a
summary of the research which was presented and the most
important conclusions and recommendations reached.
(GEWAMED PROJECT)
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY ..............................................................................................3
1.INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................4
2.GEWAMED PROJECT ............................................................................6
3. BACKGROUND OF THE SEMINAR .......................................................8
4.OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SEMINAR ...............................................10
5.SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS ...................................................................14
6.WORKING PLENARY SESSION ...........................................................21
7.RECOMMENDATIONS ........................................................................25
8.OFFICIAL CLOSURE OF THE SEMINAR ..............................................27
Annex A : AGENDA .................................................................................1
Annex B : List of attendees .........................................................................1
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 3
SUMMARY
On the 18th
of January 2009, a national seminar On Key Policy to Mainstreaming
Gender in Water Management was held in Egypt. . . . The seminar was detained under the auspices
of H.E. Dr. Mahmuod abu- Zied, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation and H.E. Maged
George, Minister of State for Environmental Affair. The seminar was officially opened by
Professor Dr. Shaden Abdel-Gawad, president, National Water research center, Dr. Mawaheb
Abouel-Azem, CEO, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, and Dr. Samia Gerges, member
of the Shura Council and the National Council for Women. The seminar was organized within
the framework of GEWAMED Project by the project’s partners in Egypt, Strategic Research
Unit-National Water Research Center-Ministry of water resources and irrigation in collaboration
with Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency. The Seminar was attended by a number of
members of the National Council for Women, and many researchers who are concerned with the
affairs of the various water aspects and representatives of civil societies.
The objective of this seminar was to discuss the policy issues related to the
mainstreaming of gender in the water resources management and come up with a set of
recommendation to be forwarded to the politicians and decision makers for their consideration.
The seminar discussed and highlighted the importance of the role of men and women at all levels
in the integrated water resources management.
The seminar programme was scheduled to have presentations from all the project’s
partners about the objectives, activities and structure of GEWAMED project, the developed
national data base and Egyptian GEWAMED web site, and the methodology of developing
Egyptian gender-sensitive indicators to measure gender mainstreaming in water resources
management. The manager of the GEWAMED project, Professor Juan Sagardoy, made a
presentation on the need of gender indicators. Other sessions were organized during the seminar,
regarding the current policy on the integration of gender in water management, the role of both
men and women in the preservation of the environment and women empowerment in water user
associations.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 4
In addition, working plenary session discussed the current policies and their adequacy to
ensure the integration of gender and the application of the principle of gender equality in the
management of water resources at all levels (national - ministerial – local). Mechanisms to be
activated in order to strengthen the channels of communication and cooperation among the
various stakeholders to integrate gender in the management of water resources were also
discussed.
The seminar resulted in many of the recommendations and policy proposals for the
inclusion of gender in water resources management. The most important recommendations of
the seminar refer to the need for the participation of all ministries and organizations concerned in
the development of policies for the integration of gender in water resources management,
emphasis on strengthening dialogue and exchange of information between them, and the need to
improve and strengthen the capacity of women beneficiaries and partners in decision-making.
1. INTRODUCTION
Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a cross-sectoral policy approach to
respond to the growing demands for water in the context of finite supplies. It is an approach that
aims to ensure the coordinated development of water, land and related resources to optimize
economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of environmental systems.
Any development activity has its impacts on the community, a community is not a collection of
equal people living in a particular geographic region. It is usually made up of individuals and
groups who command different levels of power, wealth, influence and ability to express their
needs, concerns and rights. The most important two groups in any community are women and
men. The deferential impacts of development initiatives on women and men can only be
identified if monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are sensitive to gender.
Gender refers to the roles and responsibilities of men and women and the relationship
between them. Gender does not simply refer to women or men, but to the way their qualities,
behaviors and identities are determined through the process of socialization. Gender is seen as
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 5
the social construction of men’s and women’s roles in a given culture or location. Gender roles
are distinguished from sex roles, which are biologically determined. Gender refers to the
socially determined roles played by women and men. These different roles are influenced by
historical, religious, economic, cultural and ethnic factors. As women and men are defined in
the weave of specific social fabrics, the relation they share constitutes what is known as gender
relations.
In Egypt Women's struggle for their rights goes back to the early 1920s when the
Egyptian Feminist Union was formed. Its impact was increasingly felt from the 1950s. Egypt
ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
(CEDAW) with reservations in 1981, and has signed other international conventions of the
International Labour Organisation (ILO). The Constitution gives women equal access to
education, employment and work opportunities, equal pay for equal work, and social security.
The management of water resources in Egypt is the main role of Ministry of Water
Resources and Irrigation (MWRI). Since 1997, this management has been directed towards the
overall goal of mainstreaming gender in the policy framework and programmes of MWRI. The
present and future objectives and strategies stated in the MWRI policy provide ample space to
include attention to roles, responsibilities and relations of male and female water users. The
main objective is to ensure the sustainable utilization of water resources for all sectors in order to
meet national and regional development objectives.
The management of water pollution control in Egypt is fragmented among different
authorities such as Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Ministry of State For
Environmental Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Ministry of Health and
Population, Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities.
In each ministry concerned with the management of water resources in Egypt, female as
well as male share in carrying out the different activities. Some of these activities are i)
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 6
development and following the implementation of laws and legislation to ensure the
sustainability of water resources development and their use, ii) definition of suitability of water
quality for each specific use, iii) control of water pollution, establishing the water quality-
monitoring network along the irrigation and drainage systems as well as in groundwater wells,
iv) introducing and applying measures to control use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers to
minimize the pollution loads in drains plus encouraging organic agriculture techniques, and v)
providing a comprehensive and accurate assessment of the environmental quality of the surface
water, groundwater and soil, and Sharing in removing solid west from canals and drains.
The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the Ministry of State For
Environmental Affairs, through their entities, have successfully carried out several programs to
promote the role of women participation in the water resources development process. Many
activities were performed through different projects' actions and their achievements in that regard
have been well recognized. The most recent project is “MAINSTREAMING GENDER
DIMENSIONS INTO WATER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT IN
THE MEDITERRANEAN REGION” PROJECT (GEWAMED).
2. GEWAMED PROJECT
"Mainstreaming Gender Dimensions Into Water Resources Development And Management
In The Mediterranean Region" (GEWAMED) is a project financed by the INCO (International
Scientific Co-operation) programme within the six framework research programme of the
European Commission (EC) and addressed to the countries of the Mediterranean Region. The
project is a Coordinated Action and this means that it emphasizes networking and co-ordination
of on-going research activities. A total of 18 institutions from 14 countries from the
Mediterranean Region participate in the project. The project’s partners in Egypt are Strategic
Research Unit -National Water Research Center - Ministry of Water Resources and irrigation in
collaboration with Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency - Ministry of State for
Environmental Affair.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 7
The overall objective of the GEWAMED is to contribute to the mainstreaming of gender
dimensions in the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in the Mediterranean
Region, by promoting a dialogue among the countries of the Region and establishing regional
and national information networks and coordination structures to promote the adoption of gender
sensitive policies and build a common knowledge base.
The above mentioned objective will be achieved through the following strategic objectives:
1. Building a national and regional shared knowledge base on gender issues, policies,
actions and measures to support gender mainstreaming in all processes related to IWRM.
2. Enhance the cooperation and dialogue among Mediterranean countries but also within
each country promoting the exchange of information and its dissemination among
national governmental agencies, NGO’s research institutions, international
organizations, private sector and communication media involved in gender related issues
and the water sector.
3. Contribute to the adoption of national policies and other related instruments (strategies,
approaches, guidelines, incentives and legislation) by involving decision makers and
politicians in the processes of mainstreaming gender dimensions in IWRM.
The Project coordinators are Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques
Méditerranéennes (CIHEAM) Bari, ITALY and Istituto Agronomico Mediterraneo (IAMB) Bari,
ITALY.
The Project partners are:
1. Italy: Centre International de Hautes Etudes Agronomiques Méditerranéennes
(CIHEAM) Bari
2. Algeria : Centre de Recherche en Economie Appliquée pour le Développement (CREAD)
3. Egypt : Strategic Research Unit (SRU), National Water Research Centre (NWRC)
4. Jordan : Faculty of Agriculture – University of Jordan (FA-UJ)
5. Morocco: Association Marocaine de Solidarité et de Développement (AMSED)
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 8
6. Palestine: Palestinian Agricultural Relief Committees (PARC)
7. Egypt: Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA)
8. Tunisia : Center for Arab Women Training and Research (CAWTAR)
9. Turkey: Çukurova University – Faculty of Agriculture (CUKUR)
10. Cyprus: Agricultural Research Institute (ARI)
11. Greece: Mediterranean Information Office for Environment Culture and Sustainable
Development (MIO-ECSDE)
12. Italy: Osservatorio Nazionale per l’Imprenditoria e il Lavoro Femminile in Agricoltura
(ONILFA)
13. Syria: General Commission for Scientific Agricultural Research (GCSAR)
14. Italy: Comitato Italiano per l’Irrigazione, la Bonifica Idraulica e la Difesa del Suolo
(ITAL-ICID)
15. Spain: Instituto Andaluz de la Mujer de la Junta de Andalucía (IAM-JA)
16. Morocco: African Training and research Centre in Administration for Development
(CAFRAD)
17. Lebanon: René Moawad Foundation (RMF)
18. France: Programme Solidarité Eau (pS-Eau)
3. BACKGROUND OF THE SEMINAR
On the 18th
of January 2009, a national seminar On Key Policy to Mainstreaming
Gender in Water Management was held at Egypt. The seminar was organized within the
framework of GEWAMED Project by the project’s partners in Egypt, Strategic Research Unit
(SRU) - National Water Research Center-Ministry of water resources and irrigation in
collaboration with Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA). The Seminar was attended
by a number of members of the National Council for Women, and many researchers who
concerned with the affairs of the various water aspects and representatives of civil societies.
The objective of this seminar was to discuss the policy issues related to the
mainstreaming of gender in the water resources management and come up with a set of
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 9
recommendation to be forwarded to the politicians and decision makers for their consideration.
The seminar discussed and highlighted the importance of the role of men and women at all levels
in the integrated water resources management.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 10
OFFICIAL OPENING OF
THE SEMINAR
4. OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE SEMINAR
The seminar was officially opened by Professor Dr. Shaden Abdel-Gawad, president, National
Water Research Center, Dr. Mawaheb Abouel-Azem, CEO, Egyptian Environmental Affairs
Agency, and Dr. Samia Gerges, member of the Shura Council and the National Council for
Women.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 11
Professor Dr. Shaden Abdel-Gawad, president of the National Water Research Center,
Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation started proceedings with brief opening annotations.
Professor Abdel-Gawad, in her opening statement, welcomed the participants and referred to the
objectives of the seminar and explained that the seminar was a follow-up to the frame work of
GEWAMED project. Prof. Abdel-Gawad declared that the history of technical cooperation
between European Commission and the different Egyptian governments’ agencies is remarkable
example of successive success stories in international cooperation where many EU funded
development projects are being carried out, one of which is the GEWAMED project with NWRC
as the main research arm of the MWRI.
Prof. Abdel-Gawad, stated that the preservation, rational use, and management of water; which
is an essential factor for achieving sustainable development; is a collective responsibility shared
by the politicians and decision makers, researchers and all groups of people, men and women
and children. Prof. Abdel-Gawad confirmed that the participation of both men and women in the
integrated management of water resources increase the effectiveness and feasibility of projects
and lead to their sustainability. She mentioned that The Ministry of Water Resources and
Irrigation in Egypt play a leading role to achieve equality between men and women to
accomplish full participation of all water users. Consequently lots of attention should be directed
towards involving men and women as gender dimension in the Water Resources Development
and Management as an urgent need. For that reason, the implementation of GEWAMED project
in Egypt requires full and sincere participation and cooperation from different organizations and
stakeholders with the SRU and EEAA. . At the end of her speech Prof. Abdel-Gawad hoped
that such ambitious project contributes to the adoption of national gender oriented policies and
she expressed her deepest thanks and gratitude to H.E. Dr Mahmoud Abu Zeid who always gives
support and encouragement. Moreover she gave many thanks to the European Commission for
its sincere support towards the successful development of such a project. Finally, she wished all
a very successful seminar that can contribute to strengthen our national policy regarding gender
mainstreaming in the water management.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 12
Dr. Mawaheb Abouel-Azem, CEO, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency welcomed the
participants, and referred to the objectives of the seminar and the importance of the
implementation of GEWAMED project. Dr. Abouel-Azem stated that it should be taking into
account the gender dissemination in all polices, plans and strategies of water resources
management. Dr. Abouel-Azem mentioned that, today the society is essential and reliable
partner in the implementation and enforcement of the national policies and legislation.
Therefore, it is a must to ensure the representation of all classes of society and the equality of
women and men from the stages of problem identification and formulation of policies and
programs to the stages of project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
Dr. Abouel-Azem mentioned that the role of the Egyptian women as managers of all the affairs
of the house, whether in rural or urban areas, both in the provision of the requirements or
patterns of consumption or behavior towards natural resources, especially water, make us give
particular attention to what can be achieved in the protection of water resources of our society if
women believed in the seriousness of water scarcity issue. Dr. Abouel-Azem stated that the
Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs performs many efforts to protect the water resources
in cooperation with the concerned authorities through 12 programs for the protection of the Nile
River and she explained some of these efforts.
Dr. Abouel-Azem mentioned that the ministry considers mainstreaming gender in its plans and
programs. Therefore, gender unit was established to take over this responsibility. She said that
this seminar is a good opportunity to present and discuss the problems of integrating gender
dimension in the management of water resources and work to formulate a national strategy that
aims at activating the role of all classes of the community in protecting and preserving water
resources from pollution as an issue relating to the life of the Egyptian people and the national
security of our country. At the end of her speech Dr. Abouel-Azem thanked everyone who
participated in the preparation of this seminar, all guests, and EU for supporting this project.
Dr. Samia Gerges, member of the Shura Council and the National Council for Women,
welcomed the participants and referred to the objectives of the seminar. She mentioned that the
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 13
Dr. Farkhanda Hassan, general secretary of the National Council for Women in Egypt, is an
active member of the Facilitation Committee of the project with the participation of the Ministry
of Water Resources and Irrigation, and the State for Environmental Affairs. Dr. Gerges stated
that the National Council for Women gives considerable attention to the environmental aspects
and the implementation of environmental awareness program for women in all governorates of
the republic. She mentioned that the environmental awareness program for women includes
many curriculum and the most important of them are about the role of women in the
conservation of natural resources and the protection of them from degradation, rationalization of
water consumption, and environmental pollution effects on health of family and the community.
At the end of her speech, Dr. Gerges thanked all the participant for their attention and wished all
of them a successful and fruitful seminar.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 14
SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS
5. SEMINAR PROCEEDINGS
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 15
The programme was scheduled to have six main scissions. The six scissions delineated to the
following topics:
1. Introduction to the Seminar and GEWAMED – Egypt
2. Egyptian GEWAMED Website and Data Base
3. Women and Water – Policy Development
4. Women Empowerment in Water Institutions – Water Boards Experience
5. Gender and the Environment
6. Gender Indicators
Scission (1): Introduction to the Seminar and GEWAMED – Egypt
Prof. Alaa Abdin, Director, Strategic Research Unit of National Water Research Center
introduced a presentation in which he illustrated the objectives of the seminar and its outline.
Moreover, thorough his presentation, he illustrated the importance of GEWAMED project and
why we need such a project. Prof. Abdin presented a case study of Fayom governorate to
illustrate tthhee importance of mainstreaming gender dimensions into water resources development
and management.
Specifically, Prof. Abdin presented a brief overview for the current situation of gender and
water management in Egypt. Moreover he presented some of the problems that obstruct
mainstreaming gender dimensions into water resources management such as lack of coordination
mechanisms among relevant institutions and related bodies, lack of institutional support for
information/dissemination, lack of coordination among women programmes, insufficient
knowledge among men and women about their own rights, lack of access to information and
technology, and limited political commitment in integrating gender dimensions in water-related
policies, legislations and programmes.at the end of his presentation, Dr. Alaa suggested some
solutions to solve such problems such as, developing information and communication strategies,
undertake national seminars and workshops with women associations and government agencies,
and increasing the capacity building on gender analysis.
Scission (2): Egyptian GEWAMED Website and Data Base
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 16
Dr. Rasha El-Kholy, Associate Professor-National Water Research Center introduced a
presentation under the title “Egyptian GEWAMED Website and Data Base (Development,
Contents, and Information Dissemination Role)”. Through the presentation Dr. El-Kholy
mentioned that the purpose of developing this website is to achieve one of the main activity of
GEWAMED project that are building an extensive knowledge base for mainstreaming gender
dimensions into IWRM through establishing regional and national networks using internet
technology in countries of the South East Mediterranean Region.
Dr. El-Kholy, illustrated the structure and the components of the national website. She
mentioned that the national website consists of seven main sections that contain general
information about GEWAMED project , the national project team, national and international
news and events that relates gender and water resources management , the Egyptian gender
indicators and national data base that developed by the Egyptian partners, and fact sheets about
several gender issues such as gender equality, equity, and sensitivity, Egypt’s gender profile,
and gender analysis framework. Dr. Rasha El-Kholy, through her presentation, described each
section in details.
Scission (3): Women and Water – Policy Development
Dr. Zeinab Safar, National Council of Women introduced a presentation under the title”
mainstreaming gender into water resources developed and management”. Through the
presentation, Dr. Safar analyzed the status of gender and IWRM in Egypt and proposes
recommendations that ensure gender mainstreaming in the IWRM. She gave an overview about
the policy of mainstreaming gender into water resources management and a general idea about
the developed Egyptian gender indicators. She mentioned that sustainable development is best
achieved by the participation of both men and women as equal partners; this has encouraged the
promotion and use of gender-sensitive approaches in water and sanitation programs and, more
recently, in Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Dr. Safar denoted that with a
gender analysis, planners gain a more accurate picture of communities (men and women, rich
and poor), natural resource uses, households and water users. In addition, Dr. Safar denoted that
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 17
gender analysis helps in understanding the gender-differentiated systems for access to resources,
labor, water uses, water rights, and the distribution of benefits and production.
Within her presentation, Dr. Safar mentioned many valuable recommendations that can improve
gender mainstreaming into the water resources management. Some of these recommendation
are: gender mainstreaming in all activities of the strategic plan of the Integrated Water Resource
Management should be ensured, awareness workshops should be executed for decision makers to
identify links between gender equality issues and water resource management, training programs
for planners and NGO’s must be implemented, involving both women and men in decision
making with an emphasis on increasing women's participation is very important, participation of
women at all levels especially users will result in accurate planning of distribution of water
resources. Gender and IWRM should address gender differences and inequalities in relation to:
uses and priorities for water, access to income and other financial resources, and access to land.
Scission (4): Women Empowerment in Water Institutions – Water Boards Experience
Eng. Soheir Kamal, Water Boards Project, Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
introduced a presentation under the title “Gender in the Integrated Irrigation Improvement
Project (IIIMP)”. Through the presentation, Eng. Kamal illustrated the women empowerment in
water institutions according to the water boards’ experience. Eng. Kamal mentioned that (IIIMP)
project targets all water users’; men and women. She illustrated the Premises of (IIIMP) gender
strategy that could be summarized in: i) providing men and women with equal access to
information by making meetings convenient for men and women and encourage female Water
Board membership, ii|) gathering information from men as well as women by including women
in studies and questionnaires and including women’s needs in water board action plans, and iii)
providing equal mechanisms for participation by including residential as well as agricultural
interests and obtaining male consent for women’s participation in water board.
Scission (5) : Gender and the Environment
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 18
Dr. Mohamed El Zarka, Environmental Specialties, introduced a presentation under the title
“Gender and Water”. He started his presentation by demonstrating a brief introduction about the
definition of gender and gender mainstreaming.
Dr. El Zarka mentioned that: women are primarily responsible for the use and management of
water resources, sanitation and health at the domestic level. Involvement of women in water
resources development and management can design effective new solutions to water problems
where involvement of women in water resources can help in making projects more sustainable;
ensure that the infrastructure development yields the maximum social and economic returns; help
governments avoid poor investments and expensive mistakes; and advance progress on
millennium development goals.. The gender perspective seeks to include an understanding of
gender roles and relations and how these affect and are affected by water and sanitation
interventions. Dr. El Zarka emphasized that taking gender issues into consideration allows better
understanding of the entire hydrological cycle and the interaction of water with other natural and
socio-economic systems. At the end of his presentation, Dr. El Zarka stated that increasing
gender awareness in water resource management can foster greater participation, collaboration,
and consensus.
Eng. Samah Saleh, Gender Equality Unit – EEAA, introduced a presentation under the title
“the strategy of gender and environment”. Through the presntation, Eng. Samah mentioned the
contents of the general framework of the strategy of gender and environment, the strategic target
of this strategy and the importance of mainstreaming gender in the environmental work. She
stated that the EEAA with all stakeholders concerned with relevant issues of gender and the
environment cooperate to achieve the objectives of the strategy at the national level. Eng. Samah
said that the strategy develops a strategic roadmap for the next phase to mainstreaming gender
dimension in all policies and programs of environmental action in Egypt on the basis of the
current situation in terms of capacities, capabilities, opportunities and constraints. She explained
the relationship between gender equality and the integrated environmental management. Finally,
Eng. Samah explained the strategic target of the strategy of Gender and environment.
Scission (6): Gender Indicators
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 19
Prof. Juan Sagardoy, GEWAMED Project Manager - Agronomic Mediterranean Institute – Bari
introduced a presentation under the title “Gender Indicators in Water Management: Review
and Proposals”. Through his presentation Prof. Sagardoy introduced a review of existing
gender indicators from international sources, relations among development objectives and
indicators, prioritizing the indicators to be used, and suggested list of indicators to monitor
gender situation in water management for agriculture.
Prof. Sagarday illustrated the relation between gender indicators and the development
objectives. He said that there are many indicators that are available for water resources
development and management but few for the related gender issues. He proposed a set of
indicators that address the following areas of development: improving the access to land, water
and economic resources, improving socio economic conditions, competency reinforcement, and
institutional empowerment. Prof. Sagardoy stated that although not all these development
objectives are strictly related to water resources they need to be considered because they do have
an impact on all water development and management actions. He said that the numbers of
indicators that were suggested are in the order of 55 – 60 and this may be beyond the capacity of
some institutions and therefore some prioritization may be needed. He explained the priority of
the indicators to be used. Finally, he proposed a list of indicators by main categories of
objectives. That main categories of these indicators were to measure gender concept in the
following aspects: access to potable water, access to irrigation water, access to land tenure,
access to economic resources, gender distribution of tasks in farm management, access to
information, training and extension, water governance at national level and local level, water
users organizations, and participation of women in the decision making at farm level.
Dr. Inas El-Gafy, Researcher – Strategic Research Unit - National Water Research Center
introduced a presentation under the title “Egyptian Gender Indicators (Development &
Assessment)”. Dr. El Gafy, through her presentation, demonstrated an over view of the
methodology of developing gender sensitive indicators for monitoring and evaluating
mainstreaming gender dissemination into water resources management in Egypt. Dr. El Gafy
started her presentation by introducing a brief introduction about the significance of the gender
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 20
indicators and why such indicators are important for GEWAMED Project. After that Dr. El-
Gafy explained the basic work frame of the methodology of developing the Egyptian Gender
Indicators. Dr. El-Gafy mentioned that the indicators were developed in three levels; ministerial,
national, and project level. She illustrated a list of the developed indicators in each level. At the
ministerial, level she listed the indicators that were developed under five main categories that are
level of women participation in the water management, level of awareness programs on gender
issue, extent of women's role in WUAs , improvement of living condition, and improvement of
health conditions. At the national level, she listed the indicators that were developed under
seven main categories that are level of women involvement in economic, social , and
developmental aspects, women health conditions, level of women education , level of women
ownership, extent of women role and time allocated on agricultural activities and awareness of
the gender issue. At the project level, she listed eleven indicators that might help in assessing
the level of women and men participation in the project at the technical and management level.
At the end of her presentation, Dr. El –Gafy stated that the developed indicators might be help as
a first step for the assessment of the policies and/or other instruments (strategies, approaches,
guidelines,...ect) promoting a gender mainstreaming in the planning, development and
management of water resources.
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Working Plenary
Session
6. WORKING PLENARY SESSION
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The Working session was detained to discuss the current policies and their adequacy to ensure
the integration of gender and the application of the principle of gender equality in the
management of water resources at all levels (national - ministries – local). An additional
objective of the working session was to determine the mechanisms to be activated in order to
strengthen the channels of communication and cooperation among the various stakeholders to
integrate gender in the management of water resources.
Prof. Alaa Abdin, Director, Strategic Research Unit of National Water Research Center
commenced the working session by explaining the main target of the discussion. He explained
that there were four main questions to be discussed through this session as follows:
1) Are the current policies sufficient to ensure the mainstreaming of the gender dimension and the
implementation of gender equality principle of gender equality in the management of water
resources at all levels (national level - the ministries - local)?
2) What are the current obstacles to the mainstreaming of gender dimension in water resources
management?
3) What are the policies to be applied to strengthen the process of mainstreaming the gender
dimension in water resources management?
4) What are the mechanisms to be activated in order to strengthen the channels of communication
and cooperation among the various stakeholders to ensure gender mainstreaming in water
management
Through very effervescent discussion various view were raised. In the following, the
results of this valuable discussion are explained for each question.
1) The current policies sufficient to ensure the mainstreaming of the gender dimension
and the appliance of the principle of gender equality in the management of water
resources at all levels (national level - the ministries – local) are:
� The capacity of existing policies to incorporate the concept of mainstreaming gender in
the management of water resources cannot be categorically identified.
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18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 23
� Both men and women should participate in solving the problems of water resources.
Moreover it is required to change
� Some of the policies, laws and existing legislation should be modified to be in line with
the principle of community participation in the water management.
� When developing of irrigation laws and legislation for the protection of irrigation water
resources, it should be taking into account the role of women in rural areas as an
alternative to the man in the process of irrigation not only the harvest.
� At the national level, the governmental agencies working in the area of water resource
management with the participation of a number of specialists in this field must develop
an information guide material to be used in the definition of the water policies and their
link to the needs and requirements of both men and women.
2) The current obstacles to the mainstreaming of gender dimension in water resources
management are:
� Women's lack of awareness of the optimum water consumption in different water
uses, not the methods of irrigation only.
� Lack of coordination between the relevant ministries in considering
mainstreaming gender concept into their policies and plans.
� In the desert areas where there is water scarcity, women suffer more than men.
� Lack of confidence of the ability of woman, especially in the rural community, to
participate in the decision-making and to demonstrate her opinion in the planning
stages of polices.
3) The policies to be applied to strengthen the process of mainstreaming the gender
dimension in water resources management are:
� Applying the modern irrigation methods and developing a training program for both men
and women to adopt these methods. This will lead to the preservation of water resources
for the benefit of society and future generations.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 24
� Study the situation of women in terms of dealing with water resources in various
governorates all over Egypt.
� Improve the capacity of women as beneficiaries and as a partner in decision-making
4) The mechanisms to be activated in order to strengthen the channels of communication
and cooperation among the various stakeholders to ensure gender mainstreaming in
water management are:
� Develop a strategy for all parties concerned, ministries, and localities to determine
the roles and responsibilities of both men and women in order to achieve a common
goal which is to integrate gender perspectives in water policies over the next five
years.
� Develop some mechanisms such as legislation, awareness-raising, public
information on how to deal with water resources efficiently and not wasted.
� Elaborate programs for education and training to raise awareness, especially in the
countryside and for illiterate women.
� Sub-plans for the advancement of women's role in preserving water resources,
especially in rural areas must be developed on the localities level.
� Distinction between water resource management and use is essential. The water
resource management is a governmental role while the use of water resources is the
role of the private sector, NGOs, and civil society; both (men - women), especially
women because they have direct contact with water.
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18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 25
Recommendations
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
The seminar resulted in many of the recommendations and policy proposals for the inclusion
of gender in water resources management. The most important recommendations of the
seminar can be summarized in the following:
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18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 26
1. Women and men differ in their responsibilities. Women and men also differ in the ways
in which they use water as a productive resource. Therefore, water resources
management must identify these critical gender differences.
2. Gender analysis should be constantly applied. Without gender analysis, the planners do
not have a full and accurate picture of the current situation, other than they will have
incomplete information that will result in deficient planning.
3. Involving stakeholder’s women as well as men is significant for IWRM.
4. Gender mainstreaming in all activities of the strategic plan of the Integrated Water
Resource Management should be ensured, including irrigation, domestic water supply
and sanitation, coastal zone management and fisheries
5. All the ministries that are involved in the water resources management, directly or
indirectly, should collaborate in the development of policies that authorize the
mainstreaming gender into water resources management
6. Involving both women and men with an emphasis on increasing women's participation at
decision- making levels is very important.
7. Develop a strategy for all parties concerned, ministries, and localities to determine the
roles and responsibilities of each in order to achieve a common goal which is to integrate
gender perspectives in water policies over the next five years.
8. Participation of women at all levels especially users will result in accurate planning of
distribution of water resources.
9. It is emphasized that it is very essential to improve women's access to sources of land,
water ,training, awareness, and credit.
10. The capacity of women as beneficiaries and as a partner in decision-making should be
improved
11. The situation of women in terms of dealing with water resources in various governorates
all over Egypt should be investigated.
12. Need for the participation of all ministries and organizations concerned in the
development of policies for the integration of gender in water resources management,
13. Emphasis on strengthening dialogue and exchange of information between all ministries
and organizations
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GEWAMED Project Page 27
8. OFFICIAL CLOSURE OF THE SEMINAR
At the end of the seminar, Prof. Shaden Abdel-Gawad, stated that the seminar was very
successful and will contribute in strength our national policy regarding gender mainstreaming in
the water management. Prof. Abdel-Gawad stated that all ministries and bodies involved in
policy development should participate for the integration of gender in water resources
management. In addition, she emphasized on the importance of strengthening the dialogue and
exchange of information between all ministries to improve the capacity of women as
beneficiaries and partner in the decision-making. She said that the seminar was a good
opportunity to present and discuss policies to include the social dimension in the management of
water resources and to work and develop strategies and mechanisms to empower this policy.
Finally, Prof. Abdel-Gawad thanked everyone who participated in the preparation of this
seminar, all guests, and EU for supporting this project.
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 28
National Seminar
On
Key Policy Issues to Mainstreaming Gender in Water Management
Annex A:
AGENDA
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GEWAMED Project Page 29
18th January, 2009
The main Purpose of the event is to:
� Discuss the policy issues related to the mainstreaming of gender in the management of
water resources, and
� Have a set of recommendations to be forwarded to the politicians and decision makers for
their consideration.
Location: Cairo House - EEAA
Proposed Agenda:
9:00 Registration
9:30 – 10:00 Opening Ceremony
Dr. Shaden Abdel-Gawad, President, National Water Research Center
Dr. Mawaheb Abu El-Azm, CEO, Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency
Dr. Samia Gergas, National Council of Women
10:00 – 10:30 Introduction to the Seminar and GEWAMED – Egypt
Dr. Alaa Abdin, Director, Strategic Research Unit of National Water Research
Center
Dr. Rasha El-Kholy, Associate Professor-National Water Research Center
Egyptian GEWAMED Website and Data Base (Development, Contents, and
Information Dissemination Role)
10:30- 11:00 Break
11:00 – 11:30 Women and Water – Policy Development
Dr. Zeinab Safar, National Council of Women
11:30 – 11:45 Women Empowerment in Water Institutions – Water Boards Experience
Report of National Seminar On Key policy to Mainstreaming Gender in water Management
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GEWAMED Project Page 30
Eng. Soheir Kamal, Water Boards Project, Ministry of Water
Resources and Irrigation
11:45 – 12:20 Gender and the Environment
Dr. Mohamed El Zarka, Environmental Specialties
Eng.Samah Saleh,Gender Equality Unit – EEAA
12:20 – 12:40 Break
13:00 – 13:40 Gender Indicators
Need for Gender Indicators:
Prof. Juan Sagardoy, Project Manager, GEWAMED
13:40 – 14:10 Egyptian Gender Indicators (Development & Assessment)
Dr. Inas El-Gafy, Researcher – Strategic Research Unit - National
Water Research Center
14:10 – 15:20 Working Planning Session
(Participants will break into 3 groups to address topics related to Gender,
Water and Environment)
15:20 – 15:30 Closing
15:30 Lunch
Annex B :
List of attendees
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18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 31
Name Position Work
1
Prof. Dr. Fouad El-Shibini
Technical Advisor
National Water Research Center
2 Eng. Atef El Kashef
Head of CDIAS
Ministry of Water Resources &
Irrigation
3 Prof. Dr. Maha Tawfik
Director
Environment & Climate Research
Institute, NWRC
4 Prof. Dr. Nahla Abou El Fotouh
Director
Water Management Research
Institute, NWRC
5 Prof. Dr. Tarek El Saman General Secretary NWRC
6 Prof. Dr. Alaa E. Abdin
Director
Strategic Research Unit, NWRC
7 Dr. Manar El-Beshry Director
Water Quality Unit
Ministry of Water Resources &
Irrigation
8 Dr. Rasha El-Kholy Associate Professor NWRC
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18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 32
9 Dr. Ghada Gamal Associate Professor Drainage Research Institute,
NWRC
10 Dr. Inas El Gafy Researcher Strategic Research Unit, NWRC
11 Dr. Ibrahiem Ghafer Researcher Strategic Research Unit, NWRC
12 Eng. Dalia Hassan Researcher Assistant Strategic Research Unit, NWRC
13 Prof. Mohamed El Zerka Technical Advisor EEAA
14 Eng. Ahmed abou ElSoud Under Secretary EEAA
15 Dr. Fatma El Gohary Professor NRC
16 Mrs. Elena SACHEZ CUADRADO Counselor
Science and Technology DELEGATION Office, Cairo
17 Justices. Mohammed Abd El Azziz Head of Environment Friends
Management Association, Alex
Environment Friends
Management Association, Alex
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GEWAMED Project Page 33
18 Samia Garges Member, National Council of
Women National Council of Women
19 Prof. Dr. Mona Gamal El Din
Mohammed Chairperson, EEAA in Alex EEAA
20 Eng. Ahmed Shokry IT Specialist
NWRC
21 Mr. Ismail Mohamed Ismail IT Team
NWRC
22 Mr. Mohamed Saad IT Team
NWRC
23 Mr. Abdel Moneam Hafez Expert
Data and Coordination EEAA
24 Laila El Kholy GD – RBO EEAA
25 Intesar Mostafa Media and Quality Specialist,
responsible of woman unit EEAA
26 Dr. Gamal El Sayed
Head of Central Management,
Middle Delta Branch
EEAA
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18th January, 2009 Cairo House -Egypt
GEWAMED Project Page 34
27 Atef darwish hassan General Manager
Sina Regions Protection EEAA
28 Shereen Mahmoud Environment commission National Council of Women
29 Ikhlas Gamal El Din General Director
Water Quality EEAA
30 Abou Bakr El Shahawi Head of Mansoura branch Ministry of Government for
environment affairs
31 Amina Mahmmed Sawan Director of Agricultural
Department and consultant NRC
32 Eng. Seham Kamal Youssef Responsible of Social Gender
project of integrated management
and irrigation improvement
Ministry of water resources and
irrigation
33 Chem. Azza hessein hamdy Responsible of communication
for woman activities Environment affairs system
34 Prof. Dr. Maged Mahmoud Khatab Professor Agriculture Faculty, Cairo
University
35 Doaa hessein Specialist Gender
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GEWAMED Project Page 35
36 Nehal Adel Shama
responsible of planning and
following
Environment affairs system
37 Dr. Attia Hessein GERBO head Environment affairs system
38 Seham Ezz El Din Gebril Member, National Council of
Women National Council of Women
39 Dr. Inas Mohammed Abou youssef Assistant professor Media Faculty, Cairo University