The concept of equity includes the idea that no individual can be favoured or damaged in decisions made by the authority in actions or in the regard of his or her rights because of gender, social status, religious or political beliefs, or any other characteristic. The most common form of discrimination has to do with gender, though there are also examples regarding social, racial, or political differences.
The forms in which different societies express discrimination against women in the scope of water management have been documented in numerous studies.
In analyzing discrimination it is important to consider that men and women usually play different roles regarding water, which are structured around considerations of socio-cultural, legal, and religious nature. They also have different needs, and they have different access to resources.
The different roles of men and women are seen in issues related to water and sanitation, as well as in irrigation. Regarding the first point, it is common knowledge that women are frequently charged with the task of preparing food, supplying the home with water, washing clothes, cleaning and maintaining hygiene, and educating children in their habits, among other tasks.