This publication discusses gender perspectives of a growing water crisis and the evolution of the international policy on water. It stresses the importance of integrating gender perspectives in water resource management and warns of dangers of leaving women out of water project design. It analyzes challenges to implementing a gender approach to water projects and looks at water resource management in the context of complex livelihoods. Gender specific impacts of environmental degradation, water pollution are given. In addition to providing a list of useful resources on gender and water, the issue draws conclusions and provides some policy recommendations.