One of the participants cautioned that we should not assume that customary law is always beneficial to women. In many societies customary law tends to restrict women's economic opportunities and access to productive resources. The commercialization of water 19. A participant asked if the commercialization of water is likely to be an effective way to increase women's access to water. Professor Hunt felt that water markets tend to have negative effects on vulnerable groups, including women.
Commercialization tends to move control of water management from women to men.
Men control cash, and also have more geographical mobility which makes it easier for them to buy and sell water. Local irrigation organizations tend to be a more effective way to protect women's access to water.