Harnessing research for development to tackle wicked problems - Water Scarcity, Livelihoods and Food Security - page 60

In the Mekong, the BDC communications strategy (Geheb, 2010) described
the R4D process and its results and was elaborated as the program progressed
and grew. The communications strategy was a key element given the Mekong's
complex power relations, the research focus and its contribution to the Basin's
development. The strategy was based on an analysis of the policy and statutes,
stakeholders, power relations and establishing partnerships at all levels. It used
innovative products and processes such as a series of documentary films, which
successfully stretched the limits of public dialogue (Clayton, 2013). It also used
protocols such as the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol to bring
actors together for dialogue.
Research on hydropower plants in the Colombian Andes showed that
nearby communities were disempowered with no share in the benefits that the
plants generated. There was little communication with the local population
and policy-makers were inadequately informed. The research reported the
communication breakdown as a challenge to link the up-stream and down-
stream components of decision-making. It created contacts between decision-
makers and local stakeholders, to ensure that local concerns were considered
(Mulligan, 2013).
Gender, diversity and power
Power relations influenced the research process in all basins (see Chapter 7).
In the Andes, CPWF's partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
enabled a citizen participatory call to action ( conversatorio ) for accountability
and improved management of natural resources. WWF facilitated the
conversatorios , which improved local knowledge and capacity to negotiate
conflicts over access to water and equitable distribution of common goods.
Women played an important role, using existing legislation on participatory
decision-making mechanisms to ensure their voices were heard (Candelo et
al., 2008; Córdoba and White, 2011). The CPWF adapted information from
different modeling scenarios to level the playing field between investors,
government agencies and local communities (Mulligan, 2013).
Integrating gender in R4D
Women play a critical role in agriculture in developing countries. In sub-
Saharan Africa almost 50 percent of rainfed smallholders are women, produc-
ing 70-80 percent of domestic food in most societies (Gladwin, 2002; FAO,
2013). Despite this, in many instances, women cannot own land or control
social and economic resources. Women often cannot be members of rural
organizations and cooperatives, and often do not have access to agricultural
inputs and technology such as improved seeds, training, extension and
marketing services. It is harder for rural women than it is for men to secure
their livelihoods, which depend on agriculture. Inequity in gender limits a
people's economic and social development. It is therefore important that the
CPWF's R4D took account of gender.