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3 Why “Water”? no water, no life > water, health, food etc. No democracy without control over main resources like water water or lack thereof is the main reason for conflict in the future women are the main users and suppliers of fresh water

4 Why women and “Water”? women motivate and educate; take action water is everybody’s business unbalanced water use water is seen as a “technical subject”, “water” is “behavior”

5 Water Management Water is everybody’s business Women play a central and essential role Water is a human right Water has economic value (cost pricing + rational use + recover cost) Water is central in sustainable development and poverty eradication

6 groundwater surface-water seawater drinking-water nature and recreation industrial use Agriculturefishery domestic use / sanitation Navigation / transport Water is everybody’s business: Uses and choices

7 Functions of water  drinking-water  domestic use / sanitation  Agriculture  industrial use  navigation / transport  nature and recreation

8 Integrated Water Resources Management  water, land and related resources  Raw water, fresh water, sanitation, waste water  Sustainable  A process of coordinated development and management  Equitable manner (e.g. gender mainstreaming)

9 Gender mainstreaming Refers to the inclusion of a gender perspective in all policies and programs so that, before decisions are taken, an analysis is made of the effect on women and men respectively

10 Dublin - the Hague – Johannesburg – Kyoto – New York - Mexico For women this means: implementation of the Dublin Principles 2 and 3: “2. Water development and management should be participatory, involving users, planners and policy makers at all levels 3. Women are central to providing, managing and safeguarding water “

11 Women’s empowerment at all levels: To facilitate that women are (going to be) partners in this process not target groups; NOT about us, without us, deciding what is good for us To enable and empower local (women’s) groups in such a way, that they are able to participate successfully in any form and every level of integrated water resource management.

12 “Women for water Partnership” Unites forces of existing women’s organizations and networks for the implementation of gender-sensitive and pro-poor Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM)

13 “Women for water partnership” to facilitate and share knowledge and experience and in this way be the added value in and to the already existing partnerships in order to create an enabling environment for women all over the world to implement Sustainable Development, create sustainable livelihoods through demand driven and gender sensitive programmes and schemes

14 “Women for water partnership” an alliance of Women’s organizations to be the “linking pin” between local women groups and (inter)national partnerships on integrated water resources management and act as facilitator, mediator, etc. “Bottom up” meets “top down” using our extensive network to reach and listen to local groups of women to hear what is needed and all ready known: –knowledge “bank” and “think tank” –facilitators (made to measure, depending on local wishes and necessities) –monitor developments, evaluate and assist in adjusting

15 Women act locally and join forces globally By: influencing policy and decision-making and bringing principles into practice

16 Changing our focus controlling technical solutions sectoral approach managing society based integrated approach

17 Women act locally and join forces globally

18 What can we do?  Use less water in household  Not pollute water  Recycle water in business  Educate children  Get information and inform women and men  Discuss choices and influence policy

19 examples Ukraine: water meters > less water used, lower cost, repair leaks Surinam: build and maintain drinking water installation Sri Lanka: build villages and clean water tanks New Zealand: have discussion about Fluoride in fresh water / health Netherlands: participate in discussion about water management (more space for water)

20 Influence Legislation European Union Funding for developing and transition countries International policies > UN National politics: are they doing what they promised

21 Conclusion Water is: Everybody’s business; including women A public common good A vulnerable resource We have to : Change our focus Take responsibility Act locally and join forces globally

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