Abstract
<jats:p>Reliable irrigation is out of reach for many farmers in Bhutan’s steep mountain landscapes. Only 3 per cent of land is suitable for agriculture and 80 per cent of that lacks year-round irrigation, limiting productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods, especially for women farmers. Women’s Empowerment through Renewable Energy Powered Lift Irrigation Systems (WERELIS) has helped move this solution from a niche idea to a practical operational priority in national policies, government planning, and on-the-ground implementation. Led by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) with support from IDRC, the project has embedded gender-responsive and evidence-based approaches into policy, planning, and implementation. By pairing research with practical tools, integrating gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) into feasibility assessments and project selection criteria, and working simultaneously across policy, institutional, and community levels, WERELIS has reduced risk for larger-scale public and donor investment, and created conditions for more equitable access to irrigation for women farmers. The result is a more inclusive and coordinated system that reduces risk, strengthens capacity, and lays the groundwork for scalable, sustainable irrigation solutions across Bhutan.</jats:p>