Background
In the article "No empowerment without rights, no rights without politics" it is argued that progress towards gender equality requires a human rights-based approach and support for women's movements. The United Nations has organized five women's conferences since 1975, however, even after 40 years, the water sector continues to face the same gender challenges. According to the World Economic Forum, if progress towards gender parity continues at the current pace, it will take 132 years to close the global gender gap. No country has reached the 'last mile' on gender equality, and complex issues like gender-based violence, gender pay gaps, equal representation in powerful positions, gender budgeting, and climate change remain unresolved.
Kakamega County Water and Sanitation Company Limited (KACWASCO) is one of the largest water utilities in Kenya, serving as the main Water Service Provider (WSP) for Kakamega County, serving 418,738 people. The USAID/Kenya and East Africa (USAID/KEA) US$51 million Kenya Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (KIWASH) Project aimed to improve lives and health through water resources management, sanitation, and hygiene services in Kenya, including Kakamega County.
According to the World Bank report on Women in Water Utilities, women are significantly underrepresented in management, with one in three utilities sampled having no female engineers and 12% of utilities lacking female managers. Kenyan women play a central role in the provision, management, and safeguarding of water in 80 percent of households without access to water on their premises. Additionally, 49% of women are in the labor force, with 78% of jobs dependent on water.
Despite efforts to close gender gaps in education, female labor force participation remains low due to entrenched cultural norms. Given the high male dominance in KACWASCO's management, female managers faced unique challenges, including resistance, harassment, criticism, micro-aggressions, gender-biased occupational segregation, low compensation for equivalent work, work-life conflicts (related to parental leave, medical cover policies, and a lack of menstrual hygiene facilities), and limited access to finance for customers, which hindered progress toward gender parity.
Gender equality is not only a basic human right but also a fundamental principle of sustainable development. The Constitution of Kenya, Vision 2030, and County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) reaffirm Kenya's commitment to gender equity. This commitment is reflected in Article 10. (2) (b) on national values, emphasizing human dignity, equity, social justice, inclusiveness, equality, human rights, non-discrimination, and the protection of marginalized groups, as well as Article 19 on the Bill of Rights. These principles are cascaded into other sectoral policies, including the Water Act of 2016, which protects consumer rights.