REACH | Water Security

For the final post in our Inequalities and Institutions series, we are sharing new research from Dr. Marina Korzenevica, PhD. and colleagues, entitled 'Unpacking the progression of climate uncertainty into precarity in the urban context of drylands'. 🗎 Climate uncertainty has always existed both as a socio-ecological reality for pastoralists living with climate variability in drylands and as a component within climate modelling. However, as Marina notes in the interview below, the experiences of poor people living with these intensified hazards are often overlooked. In response, this study discusses an emerging conceptual nexus of uncertainty and precarity, grounded in a discussion of the flood disaster governance of Lodwar, Kenya. ⚠️ To access this resource on the #REACH website, follow this link: https://lnkd.in/e8ypQ4tx ✍️ Dr. Marina Korzenevica, PhD. | Peter Ewoton | Ellen Dyer | Mary Ngikadelio | Philemon Ng'asike, DPhil. #WaterSecurity | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

🗣️“...the recognition of gender and inclusion in water security conceptualizations, implementation strategies and monitoring efforts are critical for ensuring water security”. For the penultimate post in our inequalities and institutions series, we wanted to share this quote from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)'s report “Gender Equality and Water Security: A Conceptual Framework and Practical Strategies to Accelerate Progress” | https://lnkd.in/d9hpBCWj The vital links between gender and water security described in the report have been a key focus of #REACH research and it is great to see REACH research and partners informing the societal and institutional context elements of ADB’s new conceptual framework for gendered water security. 📣 Sara Marks | Sarah Dickin | Elijah Bisung, PhD | Barbara Van Koppen | Catherine Grasham | Dr. Marina Korzenevica, PhD. | Katrina Charles. The review 'On considering climate resilience in urban water security' (Grasham, Korzenevica and Charles 2018) provides multiple examples of individual vulnerabilities that are increased due to roles and responsibilities assigned to people of particular genders and/or ages. As ADB note in their report, this evidence emphasizes the importance of “linking gender, poverty and discrimination to water security inequalities, particularly in the face of climate change.”  Finally, according to ADB: “there is limited conceptualization of gendered water security that addresses socially differentiated individual and intra-household experiences.” REACH WISER has been designed to explore water security at these levels, and we look forward to sharing findings from research in Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Kenya from this project. Out now, a new paper by Marya Hillesland and Cheryl Doss review the literature in this space: Addressing intrahousehold dynamics, power and decision-making in household water portfolios, can be accessed here 🗎 https://lnkd.in/dY3D43iv More about REACH WISER here: https://lnkd.in/eWU9k8dG 

Water permit systems in many African countries that were introduced during the colonial era often disadvantage #SmallScaleFarmers who use water for irrigation and livestock. Our new #REACH Story of Change describes partnership research to assess these systems in Malawi, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. Key recommendations for #PolicyReform include:   📝 More countries should proceed with full review and reform of water resource management systems to reduce inefficiencies in government billing systems and put customary law on an equal footing with formal permit systems.   🚰 Focusing on the regulation of the relatively few large-scale, high-impact water users and ceasing to bill very small-scale water users could improve the cost/revenue ratio of permit systems. Kenya has adopted this approach, allowing for more time and finance to be dedicated to other water resource management tasks.   This on-going work is shaping discussions at international forums and has gained significant media attention, bringing water governance reform into the spotlight. Read the full report via the following link: https://lnkd.in/eq_AKqkG ✍ Barbara Van Koppen | Barbara Schreiner | International Water Management Institute (IWMI) | Pegasys Institute   #WaterSecurity | #InclusiveWaterGovernance | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

On the #REACH website we have a new resource from Dr. Marina Korzenevica, PhD., and colleagues, entitled ‘Public participation and community engagement in domestic water supply management in Kenya: Progress and directions’ 📄     Kenya’s water governance has undergone significant reform over several decades, with colonial and early independence policies gradually being replaced. In the 2010 constitution, water was enshrined as a human right, and power was decentralised so that water could be governed at a county level. Within this context, multiple water supply models coexist within rural and urban areas, such as institutionalised service delivery management models, Public-Private-Partnerships and self-supply. 🚰     In this report, Marina and her colleagues evaluate public participation and community engagement in domestic water supply management, analysing policy progress, practices, and challenges within an evolving governance landscape. By exploring public participation in the context of Kenya’s pursuit of water security, the report examines how community engagement can foster sustainability, transparency and empowerment.     To access this resource, click here: https://lnkd.in/eyuS3tYf   ✍ Dr. Marina Korzenevica, PhD. | Peter Njaggah | Ida Githu (Dr.) | Violet Matiru | carol matere, MA(PPM)     Consortium Authors: Benjamin A. | Nancy Gladstone | Euphresia l | Peace Musonge | Keturah M. | Rebecca S. | Sam Taylor | Jo Trevor | Mary Mariga     #WaterSecurity | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Exciting news from REACH-WISER colleague Salome Bukachi about her involvement in the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance

How would you save on energy costs whilst running a reliable water utility in a challenging dryland environment? In a new paper on the #REACH website, researchers have used a Water Energy Nexus approach to model optimal pumping schedules to guarantee water distribution at minimal operational costs in Lodwar town, Turkana County, Kenya👷🏾♀️   The results indicate a potential reduction in energy costs of 50% to 57% without compromising the supply reliability. This approach to managing a water distribution network could be replicated elsewhere to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of water utilities in dryland settings. You can read ‘Water–Energy Nexus-Based Optimization of the Water Supply Infrastructure in a Dryland Urban Setting’ via the following link📄 https://lnkd.in/ewwiZq-e ✍ Charles Odira Maxwell | Zablon Isaboke | PATTS ODIRA | Gilbert Ouma | Marco Lompi | Mario Di Bacco| Enrica Caporali | Tommaso Pacetti #WaterSecurity | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

In a new blog on the #REACH website, Prof. Salome Bukachi and Mercy Mbithe document the perspectives of different people affected by intra-household water conflict. 🗣 The piece is based on interviews conducted during qualitative research for the REACH WISER project, which serve to highlight the context and gendered nature of water conflicts experienced within households. We often think of water conflict as occurring between regions or countries, however understanding conflict at the household level can help us design better interventions to improve household water security.🏠 Head over to the REACH website to find out more: https://lnkd.in/enys7WxU In the following video, Salome reflects on some of the themes addressed within the blog, in particular the notion that when it comes to the water conflict, ‘the wearer of the shoe is the one who knows where the shoe pinches most”.  #WaterSecurity | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office | University of Nairobi  

As the #REACH Programme enters its final few months, we’re asking colleagues to reflect upon their experience and share future research plans. 🗣     In our latest interview we hear from Dr. Marina Korzenevica, PhD., part of our University of Oxford team. Having joined the programme in 2017, Marina’s research has largely focused on the topic of Gender and Inequality. Listen to Marina’s programme reflections, as she gives a detailed account of the REACH-WISER project, for which she has been the qualitative lead. All research from REACH-WISER will remain open access once the programme has come to an end. To utilise this research and explore the insight provided, visit the REACH website 📄🔓  https://lnkd.in/eWU9k8dG #WaterSecurity | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 

A reminder that we have an exceptional line-up of speakers for the "Mission: possible? Chlorinated water for all – progress and prospects" webinar next Tuesday (26th November). Moderated by Dr. Saskia Nowicki, Research Associate in Environmental Systems Science for Policy at University of Oxford, the session will also feature: 🗣 Amy Pickering, Ph.D. | Blum Center Distinguished Chair in Global Poverty and Practice 🗣Loïc Fache, environmental engineer at Eawag | Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology 🗣Yoshika Crider, Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering | University of California, Berkeley 🗣Jeremy Lowe, PhD Student in Environmental Engineering | University of California, Berkeley 🗣Marisa Boller, project officer at Eawag | Department of Sanitation, Water, and Solid Waste for Development 🗣Mathieu Métois, Global WASH Technical Officer | Self Help Africa 🗣Megan Lindmark, PhD, Technical Program Director | COVA 🗣 Adam Drolet, Senior Program Officer | PATH   This webinar, supported by the REACH Water Security programme, is the third in the RWSN - Rural Water Supply Network Late Webinar Series. You can register for this session via the following link🔗https://lnkd.in/e7NFq-Rn You can also learn more about the series and register for other sessions here: https://lnkd.in/d7yyezmm

As the #REACH Programme enters its final few months, we’re asking colleagues to reflect upon their experience and share future research plans. 🗣 In our second interview we hear from Daniel Esukuku Ekai, a Research Assistant from the REACH Kenya programme at the University of Nairobi. Having joined as an Early Career Researcher in 2022, Daniel has contributed across the REACH Kenya programme, conducting research at the Turkana observatory. He has also been a key member of the REACH-WISER group, an international research initiative which seeks to better understand how water security risks are negotiated on an individual level. Listen as Daniel expresses his pride in conducting research within his local community and outlines his plans for future research📊 Thank you, Daniel. We wish you all the best on your future endeavours✨ To learn more about REACH-WISER follow this link https://lnkd.in/eWU9k8dG #WaterSecurity | School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford | Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment - University of Oxford | University of Oxford | Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office