Beginning with colonial times and continuing to the present, irrigation has been an important site for the construction of gendered power and hegemonic masculinities. The strong connection between masculinities and irrigation cultures may provide an important explanation of why hydraulic bureaucracies are so resistant to change. The continued masculinity of irrigation requires critical investigation of masculinities, technology and organisations. Such studies will serve both as a first step to creating more space for women engineers in government water agencies, and contribute to unravelling important aspects of the cultural politics of water.
REVIEW OF WOMEN S STUDIES
Questioning Masculinities in Water
Margreet Zwarteveen
Beginning with colonial times and continuing to the present, irrigation has been an important site for the construction of gendered power and hegemonic masculinities. The strong connection between masculinities and irrigation cultures may provide an important explanation of why hydraulic bureaucracies are so resistant to change. The continued masculinity of irrigation requires critical investigation of masculinities, technology and organisations. Such studies will serve both as a first step to creating more space for women engineers in government water agencies, and contribute to unravelling important aspects of the cultural politics of water.
EPW looks forward to your comments. Please note that comments are moderated as per our comments policy. They may take some time to appear. A comment, if suitable, may be selected for publication in the Letters pages of EPW.
REVIEW OF WOMEN S STUDIES
Comments
EPW looks forward to your comments. Please note that comments are moderated as per our comments policy. They may take some time to appear. A comment, if suitable, may be selected for publication in the Letters pages of EPW.