View source for 16 Women’s participation in water management

== Why are women important for water management? ==
At BGP’s start, there was still some scepticism on why women should be motivated for participatory water management, even though the 30% and 40% quota was adhered to by all. In the course of BGP also practical reasons emerged why women can be important for water management, apart from the principle of gender equality (equal opportunities for women and men). These practical reasons can be summarised as “''more hands on deck for better water management''” or:

* Larger pool of potential WMG leaders
* More diversified leadership, representing better the interest of local communities, including of women polder dwellers, and taking better decisions
* Some women successfully engaged in conflict resolution: more neutral than men, less politically biased
* Women contribute to maintenance -“''cleaning water hyacinth''”- and to in-polder water management.
''“Women dig most of the small field channels” — CDF in Patuakhali''

Below are examples of women who show commitment to participatory water management, also taking initiatives: 

''"Souda regularly attends the monthly meetings; before every meeting she identifies the problems of the WMG members (M/F) and the water management situation. Then during the meeting she discusses with other WMG members and take decisions together." — from case study on Souda Begum, WMG treasurer''

''"Noyantara, as WMG president, took the initiative to address their water logging problem, motivating the farmers to build seven cross-bundhs. She ensured a contribution of BDT 10,000 from the Union Parishad; benefiting farmers contributed the rest. Now 100 farmers at 200 acres have a second crop." — from case study Noyantara''

''"Morjina, as WMG vice-president, well understands that water management is needed for agricultural improvements. She took a lead in realising two box culverts at Amtoli khal as well as a cross-bundh in front of Pokhiapara sluice khal, the latter to keep sweet water available for irrigation. This was jointly financed by the Union Parishad, the WMG, and the benefiting farmers." — from case study Morjina, polder 47/4''