This talk explores how gender inclusion in transboundary water governance can move beyond symbolic participation to meaningful representation, using the Brahmaputra River Basin as a case study. Based on qualitative research, including stakeholder mapping and interviews with actors, the study examined how institutional design shapes who participates in water diplomacy and decision-making. Findings show that state-centric, security-driven governance structures and weak gender mandates limit women’s involvement in agenda-setting and high-level negotiations, while participation remains strongest at community levels. The talk highlights practical enablers such as formal representation requirements, gender-responsive budgeting, and stronger links between informal and formal diplomatic tracks and presents actionable recommendations for building more inclusive, legitimate, and climate-resilient transboundary water governance.
Speaker
Priyanka Chandrakala Prashanth
Water Diplomacy and Gender Inclusive Transboundary Water Governance
