Dinara Ziganshina presented on gender and water management projects in Central Asia. She observed projects in Fergana Valley, climate change adaptation in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and the RiverTwin project in the Chirchik river basin. Surveys in 2004 analyzed gender issues in water management in Central Asian countries. A 2005 training seminar provided gender theory and analysis methodologies. From 2007-2008, 25 staff were trained and 155 water specialists improved their knowledge on gender and water through workshops. Publications, a website, and radio/TV programs were produced to improve gender awareness in water management at regional, national and local levels. She recommended projects be responsive to local needs, focus on gender relations not just

1. Dinara Ziganshina
Legal Adviser
Scientific Information Center for
Interstate Commission for Water Coordination in Central Asia
The Fifth GEF Biennial International Waters Conference
Cairns, Australia 26-29 October 2009

2. Observations
during the
implementation of
various projects
IWRM in Fergana Valley
(SDC) – Kyrg, Taj, Uzb
Adaptation to climate
change (CIDA) – Kaz, Uzb
RiverTwin in Chirchik river
basin (EC FP6) - Kaz, Kyrg,
and Uzb

3. Discussions
Top level - 1st
meeting on Gender &
Water in CA during Int’l
Conference in Almaty, 2004, ADB
Intermediate level – Internet
Forum UNDP, 2004
Field level – meetings with
farmers & WUAs, 2004, GWP
CACENA
“Water and agriculture projects and programs have failed to incorporate gender
issues within their operations and they have collectively agreed to form a network
on an informal basis to undertake specific activities as a first step in changing this
reality.”
Resolution on ‘Gender & Water in Central Asia’
The International Scientific Conference “Water Partnership in Central Asia” in Almaty, 2004

4. Surveys
SIC ICWC & GWP
CACENA, 2004
Study of Representative Households in
Kuva Rayon of Fergana Oblast, Republic
of Uzbekistan
“GENDER ASPECTS IN WATER RESOURCES
ACCESS AND MANAGEMENT”
The first attempt to analysis
gender issues in water
management of Central Asian
countries

5. Training
A regional training seminar
“Basics of Gender Theory
and Gender Analysis
Methodologies in Water
and Agriculture”
2-4 March 2005 at the
ICWC Training Center in
Tashkent.

6. 2007-2008
5 Central Asian Countries
The objectives:
- to improve gender awareness among
the water sector stakeholders at
regional, national and local levels
- to strengthen capacity of the water
sector stakeholders for incorporating
gender dimensions into the
decision-making process.

7. The gender focal points in water
ministries in the five CARs
25 staff trained on GAD issues in the
water sector
155 water specialists improved their
knowledge and skills on water and
gender issues through 6 workshops,
distribution learning materials
Newsletters, series of publications,
booklets and brochures
Regional TV program and five radio
programs broadcasted
Gender and water website and e-
forum developed.

8. http://www.gender.cawater-info.net/index_e.htm

9. Be responsive to real needs and
local dynamics
Focus on gender relations not
women
Engage both women and men
Avoid generalisations – be case
specific
Be responsible for your actions
Be consistent…
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

10. Be responsive to real needs and
local dynamics
Focus on gender relations not
women
Engage both women and men
Avoid generalisations – be case
specific
Be responsible for your actions
Be consistent…
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION