By Khadija Begum
As we transition into a new phase of research and innovation at the International Water Management Institute, guided by a refreshed strategy 2030, our focus on gender, youth, and social inclusion has become stronger, more visible, and increasingly embraced by researchers across the organization. This shift places a significant responsibility on us to stay mindful of the realities on the ground and adopt strategies and pathways that are truly inclusive and culturally sensitive. As we develop science programs and shape the future direction of gender and social inclusion work, this blog serves as a reminder of the potential risks of unconscious gender-blind investments, which can inadvertently undermine women’s empowerment and hinder broader social inclusion efforts.
With 20 years of experience in gender mainstreaming within the development sector, and my role as a Gender and Youth Specialist at IWMI, I have observed firsthand the repercussions of overlooking women in irrigation/agricultural projects. Drawing from IWMI’s years of research and interventions in water and agriculture management, this blog reflects on how we, as research-for-development practitioners, can ensure that future investments are genuinely inclusive and equitable. While the examples discussed focus on Pakistan, similar challenges are likely present in other parts of the world, making it a global concern.
As an agro-economy, Pakistan derives a substantial portion of its Gross Domestic Product from agriculture. In 2020-2021, 42.1% of the labor force was engaged in this sector. Recognizing agriculture’s pivotal role in the national economy, significant financial investments have been directed toward improving agricultural practices and irrigation systems.
However, investments aimed at enhancing the capacity of women in agriculture are woefully inadequate, leading to disproportionately greater benefits for men. Despite women’s significant contribution to agriculture—globally accounting for half of the food produced in developing regions—their involvement in agricultural policies and programs remains largely overlooked. The UNDP Human Development Report reveals that women contribute an estimated USD11 trillion to the global economy, yet much of this remains invisible. In Pakistan, the situation is no different. Women constitute 67.9% of the agricultural labor force, most of whom are informal workers.
Agriculture and irrigation are often perceived as male domains, making men the primary beneficiaries of programs and policies. Consequently, agricultural/irrigation projects and policies in developing countries are still dominated by the notion that ‘farmers are men’ which leads to the exclusion of women from development programs.
Bridging the gap or deepening it?
Given women’s critical role in agriculture, their exclusion from major agricultural/water management projects only widens the gender gap. While these projects may positively impact economic growth and agricultural productivity, they do so at the expense of women, who receive minimal benefits. This gender blindness reinforces stereotypes that portray women as less capable than men, relegating them to manual rather than mechanical work. Training and interventions related to new technologies in irrigation and crop production are typically male-centered, excluding women from accessing these opportunities. This disparity strengthens men’s societal status while depriving women of the chance to enhance their agronomic practices and increase crop yields.
Although such projects may seem benign, they, in reality, deepen the gender gap, perpetuate patriarchy, and exacerbate inequalities. Men, who already dominate public spaces and have better access to information, innovations, and connections with government and private sector institutions, only strengthen their societal positions through these projects. Conversely, women, who are fully engaged in agriculture and perform labor-intensive work, are systemically ignored in project design. Without culturally appropriate approaches to include women, they are denied equal opportunities to benefit from these projects.
Furthermore, women often lack information about these projects and are excluded from access to new technologies and capacity-building opportunities in irrigation and crop production. This exclusion leaves them less knowledgeable than men, who are better positioned to negotiate, apply technology, and make decisions. The issue is not that women lack decision-making capacity but rather that they are systemically deprived of the information and skills readily available to men.
When examining project design aspects, too often, technical aspects of projects are segregated from social considerations. While projects may address agricultural and irrigation issues and touch upon social aspects, they often neglect the gender perspective. They fail to consider how these investments will ensure equal benefits for women farmers. A generic approach to farmer participation is inadequate for women in the cultural contexts where they are already invisible and excluded from public forums.
Besides, the projects typically provide comprehensive economic and financial analyses but rarely include gender analysis. It is usually deferred to a later stage. The question is, why isn’t a clear gender strategy in place from the planning and design stages? As a result, we see only one side of the equation—economic benefits—without considering who actually receives these benefits and who is left out. Segregating gender considerations from the main project documents relegates women’s participation to a low priority. Just as detailed data on irrigation, agriculture, and finance are essential for planning, gender inclusion should be treated as a critical component. Understanding the impact on different groups, including women, is crucial.
Invest in women
To address these challenges, affirmative actions are required. First and foremost, women farmers and their contributions to agriculture must be recognized at the policy level in both agriculture and water management. Policies must be inclusive, addressing the needs of both male and female farmers. When policies mandate the full involvement of women in all interventions, compliance becomes obligatory. Empowering women by providing them with equal opportunities would enable them to exercise their agency effectively.
Pro-women investments in agriculture/irrigation would be an essential step toward bridging the gender gap. Women farmers have limited access to education and skills, providing them with equal learning opportunities in new technologies would help them familiarize themselves with modern methods and apply them effectively.
Designing interventions in water supply, irrigation, agriculture, and municipal sectors that explicitly target women while also securing the buy-in of men is crucial for achieving desired results. It is necessary to promote the concept of income generation rather than subsistence farming among women, moving beyond kitchen gardening to productive agriculture. This paradigm shift requires investing in women as drivers of agricultural growth, food security, water management, and conservation.
Gender analysis must be an integral part of project design, considering how interventions will affect men, women, and smallholders. To achieve true inclusion, projects must explicitly outline their approach and methodology for women’s participation. Special measures for women’s inclusion should be embedded within the project proposal itself, rather than being treated as an isolated element.
Thus, donors, government agencies, and implementers must review their program design approaches, embedding a strong gender perspective from the planning and design stages if they are truly committed to achieving gender equality.
