The purpose of the SADC Guideline for Mainstreaming Gender in River Basin Organisations (RBOs) is to assist RBOs in the SADC region to effectively integrate a gender perspective into all aspects of their work, from planning strategic tools, developing normative standards, and designing and delivering thematic and basin programmes, to working through the project cycle. The ultimate goal is to strengthen RBOs' ability to promote an enabling environment for all stakeholders, both women and men, to contribute to, and enjoy, the benefits of sustainable water resources development and management. This should lead to sustainable and equitable development outcomes. In 2007 the SADC Council of Ministers adopted the SADC Gender Policy and in 2008 the SADC Heads of State and Government signed and adopted the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. The Protocol consolidates and creates synergies among various commitments to gender equality and women's empowerment, producing one comprehensive regional instrument that enhances the capacity to plan, implement, and monitor the SADC gender agenda effectively. The guiding principles for this guideline have been developed in line with the SADC Water Policy, and are informed by the Dublin principles of IWRM. The second and third Dublin principles provide for the equal participation of women and men in decision-making at all levels and are a pre-condition for achieving gender equality and equitable outcomes in the development, management, and provision of water resources. Thus, effective mainstreaming of gender in RBOs requires, firstly, that those responsible for managing water programmes and policies in the basin become aware of the power differentials in access to, and control over water by different groups of users, including men, women and other marginalised groups at all levels. Secondly, water management in the basin requires gender sensitive planning that makes it possible for both women and men, including vulnerable groups, to have access to water and to participate in decision making processes at all levels.
2015-01-01