| dc.description.abstract | This thesis explores how women experience the chronic water scarcity in Lalitpur, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, and which role the ancient water supply system of the hitis play in their everyday lives. “Water, water, everywhere / nor any drop to drink” is a saying that suits the Kathmandu Valley perfectly. Surrounded by abundant water resources, it is a problem of scarcity amid abundance. Climate change and urbanization are putting high pressure on water resources, leading to a combination of uncertain supplies and increased demands. When water becomes scarce in both quantity and quality, there are always concerns that these issues will affect some social groups more than others. Based on in-depth interviews, I explore what water insecurity looks like from the ground and provide anecdotes of how women in Lalitpur experience water insecurity in their everyday lives. This includes aspects such as overarching issues in gender and water management, human resources, material opportunities, network and social dynamics, and agency. Additionally, I discuss how views of “tradition” and “modernity” affect priorities in water infrastructure development, and the value of “traditional” water technologies in the context of women’s empowerment. Functioning as the main water supply system for 1500 years and still in popular use, the hitis provide an added sense of security when other water sources prove unreliable and revitalizing the system could reduce water stress in Lalitpur. It is also important to note that women are not a homogenous group, and additional factors such as caste, ethnicity and income level should be included when mainstreaming gender in water management policies. | eng |