Water is an essential part of life. Found in every single cell of the human body, in the air we breathe, and in the foods we eat, it fuels all our body’s functions. Its importance expands far beyond the individual level, as it aids in the creation of societal structures, shapes economies, and impacts political landscapes. Access to water is considered a human right by the United Nations, emphasizing the critical role it plays in our lives and in society. However, access to and control over water resources isn’t equal amongst all members of society. The intersection of water and gender, often overlooked in mainstream discussions, plays a significant role in sustainable water management and the overall pursuit of sustainable development.
Despite the essential role that water plays in lives, 785 million people around the world don’t have access to safe water, according to WaterAid[1]. This dearth attention poured into an evolving facet of the water-related discourse – water and gender. Empowering women in water-related matters is gaining traction as a crucial element for a sustainable future.
The Current Landscape
Water scarcity affects populations worldwide, with Sub-Saharan Africa being one of the most affected regions. This water scarcity problem is further complicated by prevailing gender inequalities. In many communities, women are usually the primary water collectors. This water retrieval often involves long and dangerous treks, impeding the time they have to engage in education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
The Impact of Water On Women’s Lives
The divide between gender and water access can arguably be seen most starkly in developing countries. Women often bear the brunt of water scarcity, responsible for collecting water for household use. An estimated 40 billion hours a year in Africa alone is spent fetching water, equivalent to a year’s worth of labor for the entire workforce of France[2]. This burden significantly influences women’s lives, contributing to a cycle of poverty and gender inequality.
When women and girls are forced to spend a tremendous amount of time and energy on water collection, their opportunities for education, employment, and political participation can diminish. In countries like Ethiopia and Malawi, girls who are responsible for fetching water are much less likely to go to school, contributing to lower literacy rates and fewer opportunities for upward economic mobility.
Reduced access to water also impacts sanitation, leading to further health disparities. Poor sanitation can result in increased instances of waterborne diseases, an issue especially prominent among women and girls who don’t have access to private sanitation facilities.
Women as Change Agents
Despite these systemic issues, there is significant potential for women to be change makers in the journey toward more sustainable water management. As primary water collectors, women also have nuanced comprehension of water sources, usage, and protection. This puts them in an advantageous position to engage in local water resource management and environmental preservation, roles traditionally occupied by men.
Women’s involvement in water management has proven advantageous in past initiatives. In rural Morocco, women’s involvement in water user associations (WUAs) has resulted in the successful rehabilitation of irrigation systems, contributing to increased agricultural output[2]. Moreover, a study from India discovered a profound correlation between women’s participation in decision-making bodies and improved water and sanitation services.
With thorough support and proper tools, women can indeed be at the forefront of a new age of sustainable water management.
The Way Forward
Ensuring women’s active involvement in water management must be a global priority. This extends beyond equitable access to resources, and into decision-making and policy development. Local, national, and international policies need to explicitly account for gender differences, from infrastructure development to sanitation practices.
Catalyzing women’s active participation through adequate training and capacity building efforts is also critical. Equipping rural and urban women with skills and knowledge about water conservation, waterborne diseases, and hygiene practices can empower them to take leadership roles in their communities.
Finally, altering societal perceptions of gender roles is paramount. The established notions that entrust water collection solely to women and decision-making power to men stand as a considerable barrier to the achievement of gender equity in water management.
Engendering sustainable water management presents a robust opportunity for gender empowerment, poverty reduction, and societal development. A gender-responsive approach to water governance is not just a progression towards gender equality, it’s the cardinal milestone for a sustainable future.
Undeniably, acting on the water-gender interplay gifts us with a sustainable solution that helps us achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 6: clean water and sanitation for all, and Goal 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Indeed, addressing the water-gender disparity is a timely and pressing issue that beckons immediate action.