Environmental flow requirement means the water that is deliberately left in the river or released from a reservoir for maintaining the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems downstream. Gender refers to the socially and culturally constructed roles, privileges, responsibilities, power and influence, social relations, expectations and value of men and women, girls and boys. There are significant differences in what women and men can or cannot do in one society when compared to another. In all cultures, the roles of women and men are distinct, as are their access to productive resources and their authority to make decisions. Typically, in most cases, men are held responsible for the productive activities outside the home, while the domain of women are the reproductive and productive activities within the home. In most societies, women have limited access to income, land, credit, education as well as limited ownership and control over these resources. Gender mainstreaming is defined by the United Nations as the: process of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies and programmes, in any area and at different levels. It is a strategy for making women's as well as men's concerns and experiences an integral dimension in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programmes, in all political, economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equality, and inequality is not perpetuated. The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality. Green water refers to water in unsaturated soil; it is responsible for the production of biomass that accounts for 60% of the world food production. Human Development Index (HDI) is a composite index based on three indicators: longevity, as measured by life expectancy at birth; educational attainment, as measured by a combination of adult literacy (two-thirds weight) and the combined gross primary, secondary and tertiary enrolment ratio (onethird weight); and standard of living, as measured by per capita GDP (in PPP US$). Industrial use means use of water for commercial, electrical power generation, industrial, manufacturing and mining purposes. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) means a process which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land and related resources, in order to maximize the resultant economic and social welfare in an equitable manner without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems. Management of a shared watercourse means i) planning the sustainable development of a shared watercourse and providing for the implementation of any plans adopted; and ii) otherwise promoting the rational, equitable and optimal utilisation, protection, and control of the watercourse. Participatory approach means a planning approach in which all stakeholders, and in particular the envisaged beneficiaries are part of the decision-making process. - 58 -