Gender Perspectives on Rainwater Harvesting Adoption: Exploring Motivations and Barriers in Barangay Manambulan, Davao City, Philippines

Rainwater harvesting represents a critical sustainable water management strategy, yet its adoption remains complex and influenced by multifaceted social dynamics. This study investigates the gendered motivations and barriers to rainwater harvesting adoption in Barangay Manambulan, Davao City. The study examines how traditional gender roles, stereotypes, and household perceptions shape technological engagement with rainwater harvesting systems. Through a qualitative exploratory approach using purposive sampling of eight residents, the research explores the intricate relationships between gender, water resource management, and technological innovation. The findings reveal distinct gender-specific patterns in rainwater harvesting utilization and decision-making. Female respondents mainly used rainwater for bathing and pet hygiene, while male participants demonstrated a more diverse application range, including laundry, bathing, and toilet flushing. The average cost of installing a rainwater harvesting system and relatively recent adoption (3.5 years) highlight economic and technological barriers that intersect with gender dynamics. Water contamination, mosquito breeding, and rainwater quality are key barriers to adopting rainwater harvesting. These apprehensions are rooted in local perceptions of cleanliness and safety. The study demonstrates that water resource management is not a neutral technical intervention but a socially constructed process profoundly influenced by gender roles, local norms, and household decision-making strategies.