Your search found 10 records
1 Kafle, Kashi; Songsermsawas, T.; Winters, P. 2021. Impacts of agricultural value chain development in a mountainous region: evidence from Nepal. Rome, Italy: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). 33p. (IFAD Research Series 65)
Agricultural value chains ; Farm income ; Small scale systems ; Smallholders ; Market access ; Household income ; Food security ; Dietary diversity ; Resilience ; Rural poverty ; Commodities ; Agricultural prices ; Price indices ; Food insecurity ; Livestock ; Highlands ; Villages ; Minority groups ; Women ; Econometric models / Nepal / Karnali / Achham / Dailekh / Jajarkot / Jumla / Kalikot / Salyan / Surkhet
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H050432)
https://www.ifad.org/documents/38714170/42926104/research_65.pdf/74dee600-7e5e-98ea-944d-d5d10bbc0eae?t=1620738318823
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050432.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H050432.pdf
(1.65 MB) (1.65 MB)
This analysis investigates the potential mechanism and the practical significance of the impacts of agricultural value chain development in a geographically challenging rural area of a developing country. We use data from a carefully designed primary survey administered in the hill and mountainous region in Western Nepal. Using the inverse probability weighted regression adjustment method, we show that linking small-scale producers with regional and local traders can help increase agricultural income. We unpack the potential mechanism of the impact pathway and show that the increase in agricultural income is a consequence of higher agricultural revenues, owing to a higher volume of sales at lower prices. We argue that value chain intervention in rural areas, where land is not fully exploited, can lead to acreage expansion or crop switching, which eventually results in higher supply at lower output prices. The positive impact on household income is practically significant in that it translated into improved food security, dietary diversity and household resilience. These findings are robust to various specifications. Targeted value chain interventions that strengthen and stabilize small-scale producers’ access to markets can contribute to rural poverty reduction via an increase in agricultural income.
2 Dhungana, H.; Clement, F.; Otto, B.; Das, B. 2021. Examining social accountability tools in the water sector: a case study from Nepal. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 29p. (IWMI Research Report 179) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2021.211]
Social participation ; Accountability ; Water supply ; Budgeting ; Auditing ; Corruption ; Transparency ; Governance ; Participatory approaches ; Citizen participation ; Water resources ; Drinking water ; Water allocation ; Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Development aid ; Stakeholders ; Nongovernmental organizations ; Water user associations ; Political institutions ; Institutional reform ; Public services ; Legislation ; Women ; Inclusion ; Households ; Awareness ; Rural communities ; Case studies / Nepal / Dailekh / Achham / Goganpani Village Development Committee / Mastabandali Village Development Committee / Sanakanda Scheme / Kalikhola Bandalimadu Scheme
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H050606)
(1.76 MB)
Enhancing accountability has become an important objective of the governance reforms over the past two decades. Yet, only a few studies have explored the use of social accountability tools in the water sector in particular. This report aims to fill this gap, based on a case study of a donor-funded water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) program in Nepal. We document and analyze the effects of two types of social accountability tools implemented by the program: public hearings and social audits. We examined how these tools have contributed to increased transparency, participation, voice and accountability, and in turn discuss their potential to reduce corruption. We relied on qualitative methods to collect data in two case study water supply schemes in two districts of Nepal. The study found that the social accountability tools provided a platform for water users to participate and deliberate on issues related to the execution of WASH schemes. However, the scope of accountability narrowly focused on the integrity of the water user committees but did not provide the political resources and means for communities to hold funding and implementing agencies accountable. Furthermore, attention to budget management has not provided space to address environmental and social justice issues related to payment of wages, access to water and decision-making processes in the design of the water scheme and water allocation. Findings from the study also indicate that the concept of deliberation and downward accountability, as envisioned in international development discourses, does not necessarily match with local power relationships and local cultural norms.
3 van Koppen, Barbara; Raut, Manita; Rajouria, Alok; Khadka, Manohara; Pradhan, P.; GC, R. K.; Colavito, L.; O’Hara, C.; Rautanen, S.-L.; Nepal, P. R.; Shrestha, P. K. 2022. Gender equality and social inclusion in community-led multiple use water services in Nepal. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 29p. (IWMI Working Paper 203) [doi: https://doi.org/10.5337/2022.200]
Multiple use water services ; Gender equality ; Social inclusion ; Community involvement ; Water resources ; Water supply ; Supply chains ; Right to water ; Water availability ; Drinking water ; Domestic water ; Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Participatory approaches ; Decision making ; Governmental organizations ; Non-governmental organizations ; Households ; Women ; Livelihoods ; Vulnerability ; Water sharing ; Solar energy ; Food security ; Nexus ; Rural areas ; Water systems ; Infrastructure ; Irrigation ; Small scale systems ; Sustainability ; Benefit-cost ratio ; Financing ; Income ; Competition / Nepal / Dailekh / Sarlahi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: IWMI Record No: H050908)
(1.21 MB)
The Constitution of Nepal 2015 enshrines everyone’s right of access to clean water for drinking and the right to food. The common operationalization of the right to water for drinking is providing access to infrastructure that brings water for drinking and other basic domestic uses near and at homesteads. Challenges to achieving this goal in rural areas include: low functionality of water systems; expansion of informal self supply for multiple uses; widespread de facto productive uses of water systems designed for domestic uses; growing competition for finite water resources; and male elite capture in polycentric decision-making. This paper traces how the Nepali government and nongovernmental organizations in the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), irrigation and other sectors have joined forces since the early 2000s to address these challenges by innovating community-led multiple use water services (MUS). The present literature review of these processes complemented by field research supported by the Water for Women Fund focuses on women in vulnerable households.
Overcoming sectoral silos, these organizations support what is often seen as the sole responsibility of the WASH sector: targeting infrastructure development to bring sufficient water near and at homesteads of those left behind. Women’s priorities for using this water are respected and supported, which often includes productive uses, also at basic volumes. In line with decentralized federalism, inclusive community-led MUS planning processes build on vulnerable households’ self supply, commonly for multiple uses, and follow their priorities for local incremental infrastructure improvements. Further, community-led MUS builds on community-based arrangements for ‘sharing in’ and ‘sharing out’ the finite water resources in and under communities’ social territories. This realizes the constitutional right to food in line with the Nepal Water Resources Act, 1992, which prioritizes core minimum volumes of water for everyone’s domestic uses and many households’ irrigation. Evidence shows how the alleviation of domestic chores, women’s stronger control over food production for nutrition and income, and more sustainable infrastructure mutually reinforce each other in virtuous circles out of gendered poverty. However, the main challenge remains the inclusion of women and vulnerable households in participatory processes.
Overcoming sectoral silos, these organizations support what is often seen as the sole responsibility of the WASH sector: targeting infrastructure development to bring sufficient water near and at homesteads of those left behind. Women’s priorities for using this water are respected and supported, which often includes productive uses, also at basic volumes. In line with decentralized federalism, inclusive community-led MUS planning processes build on vulnerable households’ self supply, commonly for multiple uses, and follow their priorities for local incremental infrastructure improvements. Further, community-led MUS builds on community-based arrangements for ‘sharing in’ and ‘sharing out’ the finite water resources in and under communities’ social territories. This realizes the constitutional right to food in line with the Nepal Water Resources Act, 1992, which prioritizes core minimum volumes of water for everyone’s domestic uses and many households’ irrigation. Evidence shows how the alleviation of domestic chores, women’s stronger control over food production for nutrition and income, and more sustainable infrastructure mutually reinforce each other in virtuous circles out of gendered poverty. However, the main challenge remains the inclusion of women and vulnerable households in participatory processes.
4 Rajouria, A.; Wallace, T.; Joshi, Deepa; Raut, M. 2022. Functionality of rural community water supply systems and collective action: a case of Guras Rural Municipality, Karnali Province. Nepal Public Policy Review, 2:317-338. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3126/nppr.v2i1.48684]
Water supply ; Collective action ; Rural communities ; Water resources ; Water management ; Water user groups ; Gender ; Social inclusion ; Women ; Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Drinking water ; Socioeconomic aspects ; Policies / Nepal / Karnali / Dailekh / Guras Rural Municipality
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051437)
(0.46 MB) (468 KB)
Ensuring the long-term functionality of community-managed rural water supply systems has been a persistent development challenge. It is well established that the technicalities of keeping the systems going are impacted by complex political, social, financial, and institutional challenges. While the shift to federal, three-tiered governance allocates concurrent responsibility for drinking water management to the local government with federal and provincial governments, water and sanitation user groups continue to shoulder the management of local supply systems voluntarily. All three levels have jurisdiction over water-related services resulting in confusion of roles. This study focuses on the local level, where community management of water and sanitation decentralisation is the key approach in this complex tangle of diverse institutions with different actors managing and governing water. User Groups and their Committees in the Guras Rural Municipality of Dailekh district, Karnali province, in West Nepal, provided the case study, which was analysed using Ostrom's well-recognised Eight Principles for Sustainable Governance of Common-Pool Resources. The community-based model, established formally through the Water Resource Act 1992 (2049 BS), is critically analysed in light of the changing socioeconomic context through the intervening years. The results highlight the need for stronger collaboration between the rural municipality and users to achieve good water supplies and the risks of losing access and voice in water management for women and marginalised people when inactive user groups are replaced by private or group interests taking control of the water access.
5 Gonzalez, D.; Sattar, R. A.; Budhathoki, R.; Carrard, N.; Chase, R. P.; Crawford, J.; Halcrow, G.; Kozole, T.; MacArthur, J.; Nicoletti, C.; Toeur, V.; Basnet, M. P.; Chhetri, A.; Gurung, H.; Yadav, A.; Vourchnea, P.; Willetts, J. 2022. A partnership approach to the design and use of a quantitative measure: co-producing and piloting the WASH gender equality measure in Cambodia and Nepal. Development Studies Research, 9(1):142-158. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/21665095.2022.2073248]
Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Gender equality ; Partnerships ; Collaboration ; Women’s empowerment ; Decision making ; Communities ; Social aspects ; Households / Cambodia / Nepal / Kampong Thom / Kandal / Prey Veng / Dailekh / Sarlahi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051410)
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/21665095.2022.2073248
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051410.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H051410.pdf
(3.67 MB) (3.67 MB)
The connections between WASH and gender equality have been extensively explored and documented using qualitative approaches, but not yet through quantitative means in ways that can strengthen WASH programming. The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Gender Equality Measure (WASH-GEM) is a novel quantitative multidimensional tool co-produced in partnership between researchers and practitioners. This article explores three dimensions of the WASH-GEM co-production and implementation: (i) the role of partnerships in co-production processes for bringing contextual and practitioner knowledge into measure development; (ii) selected results from the validation pilot in Cambodia and Nepal (n = 3,056) that demonstrate ways in which the measure can inform WASH programming through analysis at different levels and with different co-variants; and (iii) the collaborative process of translating research into programming. The study illustrates that strong partnership and co-production processes were foundational for the development of a conceptually rigorous quantitative measure that has practical relevance. The findings presented in this article have implications for future measure development and WASH programming that aims to influence gender equality in rural communities.
6 International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2023. Addressing climate vulnerability in Nepal through resilient inclusive WASH systems (RES-WASH). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 4p.
Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Climate change ; Vulnerability ; Extreme weather events ; Gender equality ; Women ; Social inclusion ; Policies ; Risk ; Capacity development ; Communities ; Local government ; Water supply ; Infrastructure / Nepal / Sarlahi / Dailekh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H051909)
(4.57 MB)
7 Raut, Manita; Varady, R. G.; Rajouria, Alok. 2023. Gender and social inclusion in community water resource management: lessons from two districts in the Himalayan foothills and the Terai in Nepal. Water International, 48(4):547-566. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508060.2023.2213962]
Gender ; Social inclusion ; Water resources ; Water management ; Community management ; Rural areas ; Water supply ; Water user groups ; Institutional development ; Policies ; Sociocultural environment / Nepal / Himalayan Foothills / Terai Plains / Dailekh / Sarlahi
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052033)
Despite decades of concerted efforts to address the problem, Nepal’s rural water supply sector continues to be laced with gender and social exclusion. This study provides insights from community water-user groups in two geographically and socially diverse contexts to better understand, from a gender and social inclusion perspective, and through institutional bricolage, how some water-user groups adapt to local contexts, shaping varied group dynamics that are not always equitable. Findings reveal that policies promoting social inclusion are difficult to implement amid the complex web of social and economic factors associated with community-managed water supply systems.
8 Khadka, Manohara; Joshi, Deepa; Uprety, Labisha; Shrestha, Gitta. 2023. Gender and socially inclusive WASH in Nepal: moving beyond “technical fixes”. Frontiers in Human Dynamics, 5:1181734. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fhumd.2023.1181734]
Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Gender equality ; Social inclusion ; Women ; Caste systems ; Ethnicity ; Political aspects ; Federalism ; Institutions ; Local government ; Policies ; Governance ; Decision making ; Rural areas / Nepal / Sarlahi / Dailekh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052237)
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fhumd.2023.1181734/pdf?isPublishedV2=False
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052237.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052237.pdf
(1.03 MB) (1.03 MB)
The enactment of a new Constitution in 2015 in Nepal marked a shift to a representative system of federal governance. Earlier in 2002, the country’s Tenth Five Year Plan had committed to a core focus on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) in national policies and governance. How do these two strategic shifts in policy align in the case of WASH projects in rural Nepal? Applying a feminist political lens, we review the implementation of WASH initiatives in two rural districts to show that deep-rooted intersectional complexities of caste, class, and gender prevent inclusive WASH outcomes. Our findings show that the policy framing for gender equitable and socially inclusive outcomes have not impacted the WASH sector, where interventions continue as essentially technical interventions. While there has been significant increase in the number of women representatives in local governance structures since 2017, systemic, informal power relationship by caste, ethnicity and gender entrenched across institutional structures and cultures persist and continue to shape unequal gender-power dynamics. This is yet another example that shows that transformative change requires more than just affirmative policies.
9 Raut, M.; Rajouria, Alok. 2022. Rural water supply systems in Nepal: factors affecting equitable access to water. New Angle: Nepal Journal of Social Science and Public Policy, 8(1):1-20. (Special issue: Understanding the Changing Livelihoods, Vulnerability and COVID-19 Pandemic) [doi: https://doi.org/10.53037/na.v8i1.65]
Water supply ; Rural communities ; Water availability ; Equity ; Water management ; Gender equality ; Social inclusion ; Women ; Water, sanitation and hygiene ; COVID-19 ; Water user groups ; Institutions ; Civil society organizations ; Governance ; Households ; Case studies / Nepal / Dailekh / Sarlahi / Gurans Rural Municipality / Chandranagar Rural Municipality
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052327)
https://newangle.sias-southasia.org/index.php/new/article/view/65/67
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052327.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H052327.pdf
(0.56 MB) (572 KB)
Equity in rural water supply systems has been a major concern of users, policymakers, and practitioners in Nepal. Communities continue to face persistent inequities in access to safe water amid the changing livelihood environment due to migration, the transition to federalism, and entrenched social hierarchies. In this situation, increasing competition for water, a resource that continues to diminish due to natural and anthropogenic causes, has aggravated disparities in access. It is usually the poor and marginalised groups who are disproportionately affected. The long-standing factors hindering equitable access to an adequate water supply amidst the COVID-19 pandemic when water is necessary for handwashing needs a sustainable resolution. Based on the learnings of a three-year research project that aimed to understand the role of gender and power dynamics in the functionality of community water systems, this paper provides insights into collective water management practices and equity amidst the pandemic. Evidence from the study shows deficiencies in community institutions created for inclusive and sustainable management of local water sources. The paper argues that achieving gender and social inclusion in community water management requires going beyond the implementation of prescribed quotas for women and under represented minority groups. Our learnings from the COVID-19 pandemic highlight the importance of equitable access to safe water and emphasise how low-income households are at higher risk of contracting the virus through shared water infrastructures. A household survey, together with a mix of qualitative methods, were the primary sources of data. Based on data from the case study sites—Ward No. 8, Gurans Rural Municipality, Dailekh district and Ward No. 6, Chandranagar Rural Municipality, Sarlahi district—we conclude that changing socio-economic contexts, prevailing social norms and practices, and premature and frequent infrastructure breakdown are barriers to fair and equitable access to water, and that local governments’ enhanced authority is a new opportunity.
10 International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 2023. Addressing climate vulnerability in Nepal through resilient inclusive WASH systems (RES-WASH). In Nepali. Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). 4p. (Also in English)
Water, sanitation and hygiene ; Climate change ; Vulnerability ; Extreme weather events ; Gender equality ; Women ; Social inclusion ; Policies ; Risk ; Capacity development ; Communities ; Local government ; Water supply ; Infrastructure / Nepal / Sarlahi / Dailekh
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H052431)
(5.96 MB)
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