Gender Relations and Wetland Management

Recent research in South-west Ethiopia, supported by RDP Livestock Services BV, has drawn attention to the important contribution of women to sustainable wetland management. The research suggested that whilst women play a key role in managing water resources and assisting in wetland agricultural production, their contribution remains largely unrecognised by local government, extension services and local communities themselves. Further, women have little say over the land use decisions for wetlands despite the way in which drainage may cause springs to dry up.