Skip to main content
TitleSocial equity and integrated water resources management
Publication TypeMiscellaneous
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsPena, H
Secondary TitleTEC background papers / Global Water Partnership
Volume15
Pagination88 p.; 7 fig.; 5 boxes
Date Published2011-07-01
PublisherGlobal Water Partnership (GWP)
Place PublishedStockholm, Sweden
ISSN Number9789185321841
Keywordssocial aspects, social development, water resources, water resources development, water resources management
Abstract

Social equity is one of the stated goals of integrated water resources management (IWRM), along with economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. But what does social equity mean in the context of water management? And what are the factors that are needed to consider in pursuing this goal? In Social Equity and Integrated Water Resources Management, an analytical framework is provided that policy makers and water professionals can use to bring greater clarity to the issue of social equity in their local context. The hope is that this paper will support better policy-making and encourage greater reflection and discussion on social equity in the water sector and beyond. The paper explores the concepts that inform the debate on water and social equity and looks at equity in the context of processes, in particular the component of procedural justice in policy and water-related services. One of the key messages of the paper is that social equity in water management is primarily about people, not water. Water may be allocated equitably, distributed equitably, and even accessed equitably, but if people are unable to derive benefits from it, the end result is not social equity. Thus it is not enough to consider only policies and processes within the water sector, but also the combined effect of these with other policies in other sectors and national development and economic policies. Ultimately, social equity should be judged by the final situation of people, and the distribution of the totality of benefits from water, both direct and indirect. [authors abstract]

NotesWith 102 footnotes including the references
Custom 1202.1

Disclaimer

The copyright of the documents on this site remains with the original publishers. The documents may therefore not be redistributed commercially without the permission of the original publishers.

Back to
the top