Gender impact study (GIS) for the domestic water supply programme Shinyanga Region : the case of four villages : Mwaukoli & Bukundi in Meatu District : Bujika & Igulwa in Kahama District, August - September 1993

This Gender Impact Study (GIS) was geared towards the identification of gender-related gaps that still exist in the Shinyanga Region. The study focused on the user groups awareness, perceptions and attitudes of gender issues in relation to daily community life in general and whether the Domestic Water Supply Programme (DWSP) had any impact on the participation of women in terms of decision making, planning, implementing/monitoring and evaluation of the water programme specifically and village development activities in general. The study used a variety of participatory methods. These included workshops (National, Regional, District, Village and sub-village levels) discussions and briefings with leaders at different levels and user groups of both men and women in the village communities. Techniques used included face to face dialogues with individuals and groups at sub-village level, households and water points; group discussions during workshops; mapping, individual interviews etc. One finding of the study was that there was an imbalance in the socio-cultural relations between men and women in the villages in favour of men. That existing attitudes, taboos and roles are not purposeful intentions of the males, but that they are imbedded in the minds and are upheld by both men and women, old and young. The compilers of the study view the roles of men and women as being the result of cultural residues which plague both genders.