The role of women in learning games and water management outcomes

Steimanis, I and Falk, T and Bartels, L and Duche, V and Vollan, B (2025) The role of women in learning games and water management outcomes. PNAS Nexus, 4 (8). pp. 1-5. ISSN 2752-6542

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Abstract

Economic games have emerged as promising tools for fostering sustainable resource management, yet their gender dynamics remain underexplored. We examine how women’s participation relates to the effectiveness of game-based learning in 56 Indian communities facing water management challenges. These structured experiential learning environments allow participants to develop system understanding, problem-solving capacities, and collective action through active engagement. Our results suggest that greater female involvement is associated with improved water management outcomes 2 years after the intervention. Notably, the presence of female leaders correlated with broader participation among women, which in turn was linked to the development of more effective management rules. These findings indicate that gender-balanced participation may enhance the success of such interventions. Incorporating women in game-based learning has the potential to support long-term improvements in resource management, highlighting the importance of inclusive approaches.

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Global Research Program - Enabling Systems Transformation
CRP:	UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords:	water management, social dilemma, experiential learning, games, India
Subjects:	Others > Water Resources Others > India
Depositing User:	Mr Nagaraju T
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2026 04:16
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2026 04:16
URI:	http://oar.icrisat.org/id/eprint/13560
Official URL:	https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/4/8/pga...
Projects:	German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), CGIAR Policy Innovations Science Program and the Co-Impact Philanthropic Funds
Funders:	GIZ Fund for International Agricultural Research
Acknowledgement:	The Foundation for Ecological Security (FES) and most specifically Ishan Agrawal provided invaluable support in the implementation of the study. Special acknowledgment goes to all participating communities for their time, assistance and hospitality. Open Access funding provided by the Open Access Publishing Fund of Philipps-Universität Marburg.
Links:	Google Scholar

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