1. Bangladesh Water and Women Network : Challenges and Progress. Dr. Bilqis Amin Hoque

2. . Background  GDI ranks Bangladesh at 140 th position/174 countries.  Division of labour, distribution of power, and responsibilities and rights about access to resources and opportunities –main constraints  National Policies encourage women participation.  Gaps between documents and real situations

3. Bangladesh Water Vision 2025 Core Challenges:  to ensure equal access of both men and women to water resources.  to ensure through effective institutional step the participation of women in the planning and decision-making process. Bangladesh Drinking Water and Sanitation Vision 2025  Provide women with appropriate training and knowledge (Drinking water and Sanitation Vision 2025).

4. About BWWN  BWWN formed in October,2001  Membership drive initiated, October,2001  Proposals to UNIFEM and others, October 2001, March 2002.  First Regional WWN Co-ordinator meeting. Nepal, October, 2001

5. Organized two local workshops  “Scopes for BWWN”. December,2001,Pabna.  “Women and Water Issues “.April,2002, Jessore & National Consultation on Bangladesh objective and action plan/launching; August 6, 2002

6. Family /HH Child Care WOMEN Embankment/FCD Projects Drinking & Domestic Water Kitchen/Household gardening Irrigation Plantation Livestock Post Harvesting Factory & Industries Fisheries Disaster

7. REPORTED WOMEN INVOLVEMENT Drinking Water  Union committees include women ward members.  Members mainly allowed in promotional activities.  Contribution raised for new options without women involvement  Communication efforts do not reach women  Women pump caretakers rarely trained.  Effective participation model/program yet to be seen.

8. Irrigation, Fisheries and other sectors About 30% women members in project committees. Members showed remarkable results in assigned roles. Women committee members not well informed about opportunities Women committee members less regular than men at grass level Family commitments and social factors not recognised Discouraging incentives Lack of respect and security Women issues still neglected in disaster mitigation  HOW BWWN CAN REACH WOMEN  Capacity building education and training.  Appropriate communication materials.  Newsletter  Women and Water Network Committee at District and Upzilla

9. HOW BWWN CAN REACH WOMEN  Capacity building education and training  Appropriate communication materials  Newsletter  Women and Water Network Committee at District and Upzilla

10.  Participation in decision making and implementation (BWP and other)  Appropriate partnership with GO, NGO and other stakeholders  Implementation of existing policies and its further development  Involvement of both professional and grass-root women  Involvement of qualified women  Recognition of women roles at home and market  Appropriate models

11. Vision of BWWN  Women’s recognition in water resource management activities through an organized voice  Recognition of women involvement.

12. Objectives Broad objective: To promote activities that will reduce the gap between national gender policy and reality Specific objectives: ' build capacity of women about effective use of water and opportunity in the sector ' create awareness of women’s role. ' contribute towards development of appropriate policy, political, social, and the sector / related sector.

13. Contd. economical environment ' facilitate women’s participation in decision making and implementing process. ' Facilitate women’s access to water and opportunities in the sector / related sector.

14. Planned BWWN Activity and Expected Output Activity Output 1. Identifying and listing women professional and activists, and women and water organisations 1. Directory 2. Development of country perspective report 2. Country Status Report 3. Strengthening women's roles in BWP organisation and platforms 3. Active participation in : * Visioning and FFA process at AWP levels * Policies and programs development at CWP level * In GWP programs

15. Activity Output 4. Target based orientation, training, skills and capacity building for IWRM and water rights. 4. Promoting and strengthening the empowerment of women in relation to IWRM 5. Institutionalisation of Gender Analysis at all levels. 5. Gender sensitive programs at CWP and AWP levels (general advise) 6. Promoting gender sensitive planning and specifying budgetary allocation at different levels. 6. Incorporation of gender analysis, planning and budgeting of all APs in SASTAC and AWP programs(discussion and advise)

16. Activity Output 7. Ensuring implementation of gender sensitive planning and budgetary allocations (gender audit framework and indicators) 7.Gender audit of all SASTAC and AWP programs (following a standard guideline develop the guideline based on regional and local consultation). 8. BWN established as pressure groups and lobbying: - Advocacy on sharing water and accordingly priority to women's issues - - Contribution to national dialogue, debates and policies on water 8.- Raised awareness in AWP areas - Increased emphasis on women related priorities in SASTAC and CWP. - Increased budgetary allocation for women related priorities within programs of CWPs and SASTAC -

17. Activity Output Contribution to national dialogue, debates and policies on water Incorporation of WWN view points in National and regional dialogues 9. Federating voices of women 9. Focused and strong presence of women in national and Institutional Forums. 10. Information sharing 10 * BWN Website * Resource Centre * Newsletter * Seminars, workshops, ect. 11. Regional Exchange and study visits to APs of SASTAC 11. Increased learning, sharing and incorporation of good practices

18.  In addition BWWN will facilitate: - exploring & effective use of SASTEC approved 10% GWP fund - exploring 50% women participation in SAWAF 2, Pakistan