Water

The young and developing countries in Central Asia share many water problems, among them, shrinking water resources, salinity, conflicting water use, and poor water supply coverage. Progress in the water sector has been slow and countries have shown little or no improvement over the past few years.

Women and children, the most vulnerable groups, have little input on water projects, as men still have the sole right to use land and water, gain access to credits, and be directly involved in water management, particularly its use for agricultural production.

ADB, through its Resident Mission in Uzbekistan, and the Scientific Information Center of the Interstate Commission for Water Coordination (SIC-ICWC) in Central Asia collaborated in 2007 to promote gender equality in the management of the region's water resources. Their main approach was the establishment of the Gender and Water Network (GWANET) in Central Asia.

GWANET aims to

• raise gender awareness among water sector stakeholders at the regional, national, and local levels
• strengthen the capacity of water sector stakeholders for incorporating gender dimensions into decision-making processes

	Gender Awareness Promotion Production and dissemination of promotional and training materials
	Capacity Building of Water Sector Organizations Participatory workshops and hands-on training to mainstream gender in decision-making

This collaboration was completed in April 2008. Among its results were

• Established GWANET based on the existing water network of ICWC and GWP CACENA with gender focal points in the five Central Asian Republics—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan
• Trained 25 staff on GAD issues in the water sector
• Improved knowledge and skills on water and gender issues of 155 water specialists through 6 workshops, and distribution of learning materials
• Produced 12 newsletters (more than 120 copies each month), booklets, brochures, and other publications and disseminated among GWANET members
• Produced and aired one regional TV program and five radio programs
• Developed gender and water website
• Prepared the report on GWANET project activities and disseminated among stakeholders

Ellen Pascua
Water Fund Manager, ADB
E-mail: epascua.consultant@adb.org

Mekhri Khudayberdiyeva
Senior Social Development Officer, Uzbekistan Resident Mission, ADB
E-mail: mkhudayberdiyeva@adb.org