Regional Water Harvesting Structures in Kerala: A Gender Perspective

This chapter emphasizes the importance of water conservation and management, focusing on regional and local water harvesting and water reuse as two effective methods for ensuring sustainable water use. Regional water harvesting involves the construction of structures such as dams, reservoirs, and recharge pits to capture and store rainwater, while local water harvesting involves the installation of rainwater harvesting systems on individual buildings. Water reuse refers to the treatment and reuse of wastewater for various purposes. These methods can significantly reduce water demand and pressure on existing water sources and help mitigate the effects of climate change. However, gender issues remain a significant challengeChallenges in water management initiatives. Women’s limited access to decision-making processes and the burden of water collection often prevent their active participation and exacerbate gender inequalities. The chapter suggests addressing these issues by promoting women’s participation in decision-making processes, providing clean water sources that are accessible to women, and involving women in the maintenance and operation of water management systems. The Women’s Water Collective in Kerala, India, is presented as an example of a successful women-led organization that promotes gender equality in water management. The chapter concludes by highlighting the importance of addressing gender issues for the long-term sustainability of water management initiatives.