Role of Participatory Institutions in Reframing Patriarchy in Rural Water Governance : Some Evidence from South Indian Irrigation

Examining the impact of legislation for Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) on gender participation, this article argues that patriarchal social structures and institutions contribute to the perpetuation of gender-based discrimination in the context of land ownership.This phenomenon subsequently impedes women empowerment and their engagement in governance and leadership positions within the domain of PIM.Further, the analysis posits that despite the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Management of Irrigation Systems (TNFMIS) Act being designed to ensure equitable participation of both genders, it has largely been unsuccessful in establishing gender equality in the context of South Indian irrigation.