Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority


	WOMEN FARMERS CONVENTION JHUDO

Social Development Cell (SDC) Transition wing of Sindh Irrigation & Drainage Authority (SIDA) is working to promote the concept of participatory irrigation management (PIM) in Sindh province under institutional reforms in water sector by mobilizing the farmers community for the formation of Farmers Organizations (FOs ) which ultimately will take over the responsibilities of water distribution , operation and maintenance of the irrigation channels ( minors and distributary canals ) and drainage networks up to 15 cusec discharge in their respective canal commands. Agriculture and Irrigation sectors are predominantly male oriented sectors but ground realities show that the role of women in these vital sectors of our economy can not be minimized. There is about 30-33 % land holding possessed by Women farmers in the command area of three Area Water Boards (AWBs) in Sindh province. So far 1905 active women farmers have been identified by social development cell SIDA out of which 914 are the registered members of Water Course Associations and 15 Women groups have been formed to promote the women farmers in irrigation sector. SIDA organized a Women Farmer Convention in the command area of NCAWB at village Ahmed Khan Khoso, near Jhudo Town on 24^th of November 2007. The objective set for this convention was to identify issues and problems in the water sector particularly reforms and importance of women farmers in water management. The convention was attended by 150 women farmers, peasants. Tenants and an equal number of men growers.

Proceedings of the Convention:

Text Box: Mr. Mohammad Hashim Leghari, Managing Director SIDA chaired the convention. Distinguished guests members FOs, Chairmen FOs, Professors, Sociologists and other civil society members also attended the convention. Engr. Khadim Hussain Memon, Team Leader PIAC, Prof. Dr. Rajab Ali Memon, Training Specialist PIAC, Ms. Nasreen Bukhari , Sociologist M & E consultants , Mr. Nazeer Ahmed Memon , SDS SIDA, Engr. Ghulam Mustafa Ujjan Group leader SMG SIDA , Mir Manzoor Ali Khan Talpur (Progressive Grower), Syed Lltaf Hussain Shah (Progressive farmer) and Pir Akbar Bodlo (Chairman Bagi Minor) also addressed the convention.

Mr. Muhammad Hashim Leghari MD SIDA informed the convention that 1750 women khatedars are registered with SIDA and 15 women groups have been formed. The total number of farmers under SIDA coverage now account for about 7 million. He emphasized on the female education and creating awareness to uplift the rural women from darkness of ignorance. Mr. Hashim Leghari claimed that SIDA system is based on democratic participation, equity and transparency. He appreciated the work of Social Development Cell –SIDA, which has been instrumental in forming 273 FOs out of which 195 have singed the IDMT and are looking after the irrigation and drainage works. The SDC, he said, have organized 220 training events so far. He stressed that the FOs must collect Abiana and to enhance their income base otherwise the system may face difficulties. He appreciated the efforts of Pir Akbar Bodlo, Chairman Bagi Minor in order to support SDC in gender mainstreaming activities.

Speaking on the occasion, Engr. Khadim Ali Memon, TL – PIAC informed that consultants have designed washing ghats and buffalo wallows on each distributary/ minor to facilitate rural women. He informed that the AWB has power to allocate water for the water supply reservoir’s constructed in villages. He appreciated the efforts of SIDA and the staff of PIA consultants for making this event a great success.

Mr. Nazeer Ahmed Memon, Social Development Specialist SIDA appreciated women farmers for the participation in large number on a very short notice. He said that he feels happy to see that today women are capable to talk on various subject. He informed that women farmer posses 30% to 35% of the total land and SIDA thinks women should have equal access and rights to water management. He highlighted the triple role of women farmers in productive and reproductive activities. He said that are women who suffer most due to water shortage problem. He informed that Sindh Irrigation and Drainage Authority recognizes the needs of women farmers regarding water. He said SIDA has its own gender strategy and SIDA promotes gender mainstreaming in irrigation and drainage sector through its gender strategy. He informed that women farmers are initially mobilized by SIDA’s gender team and than organized in women groups. SIDA has a capacity building program, women farmers have been activated in all three Area Water Boards and are trained under capacity building programs and they are fully capable to take part in water management. He informed some women farmers have the chairmanship of different water course association while there is a great demand form women farmers to be the chairperson of water course associations and member of Area Water Boards.

Women farmers, women activists from different sectors and SIDA women staff addressed the convention. Speakers at the convention included Ms. Shakeela Leghari, Ms. Zeb Jatoi, Ms Nasreen Bukhari (Sociologist), Ms. Zeb Khoso (Women Group Bagi Minor), Ms. Mehnaz Khoso (Women Farmer), Ms. Farzana Khalid (Secretary Nabisar Minor), Ms. Pathani (Chairman Bareji Minor), Rahila Bibi (Women Farmer) Bhan Minor, Ms. Shahida Khoso (women Farmer) Bagi Minor, Ms. Rabia (Women Farmer), Ms. Shams Ali Talpur (Educationist). Talking to the convention, women farmers highlighted the needs and priorities of women farmers regarding water sector. They pointed out that though women work more than men in agriculture sector but they are not given recognition. Women should be equally treated by policy makers in designing policies, projects and other development related activities regarding water management. A collective voice was raised by women farmers to facilitate them for seed, fertilizers, modern technology, skills and to provide them the due share of water in water supply reservoirs for house hold purposes. There was a great cry against water shortage at tail- end minors and distributaries by women farmers, they demanded that seasonal water rotation plan should be announced well in advance before implementation and they also demanded to construct the washing ghats, buffalo wallows during rehabilitation works in order to save the energy and time of women farmers and for the safety of their children. Women farmer put 11 resolutions to be passed.

Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Ujjan Group leader SMG SDC offered vote of thanks to all the participants especially women farmers, office bearers of FO Bagi Minor and participants from Education department, Local NGOs, Elected representatives of the area, media and local communities for their cooperation and support for making this event successful.