ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that the approach of the domestic water supply sector to gender is based on a misunderstanding of the concept of gender, which results, at best, in a failure to address exclusion and, at worst, in a reproduction of existing practices of exclusion. In translating gender theory into development policy and planning, there has been a reversal of thinking, from gender back to sex, ‘separating and isolating women as the central problem from the context of social relations’ and assuming gender inequalities exist only at the level of the household. The reasons for this are political and technical; addressing inequality in gender relations involves understanding and challenging local customs and traditions and inequitable global policies and practices. The importance attached to addressing gender is more evident in World Bank publications, including those of the SWAJAL project. However, gender is equated to women and homogeneity amongst women is assumed.
