Water Is Life
A position Paper On: Indigenous Women’s Role In Water Governance In Asia
Water governance is one of the pressing issues for Indigenous communities in Asia with emergence of neoliberal policy promoting unabated private sector’s monopoly in managing natural resources including water resources. Dispossession of water resources is compounded by extreme weather conditions depleting the remaining water resources governed by Indigenous communities. Domestic and agricultural use of water are primarily women’s domain but their participation in planning and water management continue to be a challenge.
This position paper reflects on Indigenous Women’s connection to the earth and water and Indigenous People’s right to water. It is based on secondary data review and consultations with Indigenous Women representatives of different sub-regions. Indigenous Women’s role in water governance, the challenges that they face and their local solutions are part of the discussions with recommendation.