Water and Gender: An Introduction

Interactions between social systems and ecosystems, or people and the environment, can be referred to as Human Ecology. This relationship linking human behaviour and the natural world is often critiqued through development challenges. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) presents many of these development challenges and aims to create solutions. SDG 6 states a universal and equitable access to safe water and sanitation, and SDG 5 states gender equality. Linking these together to create a gendered perspective of resource and sanitation issues has been recognised to be critical for gender equality (UN Water, 2020). The relationship between water and gender is one of many complexities. Water related issues such as hygiene, water collection, agriculture, and household food security affect men and women in varying ways. For this reason, this blog aims to unpack water and gender discourses in the context of Africa over the course of the next few months.

When writing about Africa, as reminded by Wainaina (2019), there are 54 countries, thousands of languages, and 900 million people. Therefore whilst discussing issues in the African context it is important to refrain from creating one single narrative, often there are several different perspectives. Much of the literature surrounding Africa makes the mistake of allowing stereotypes to influence their work such as all the children are dying, or that it is full of 'naked warriors' (Wainaina, 2019). When the reality is that Africa provides a diverse range of social and cultural contexts in which water and gender are negotiated.

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As an overview to the current situation in Africa, it has the lowest proportions of national populations with access to safe water, lowest per capita rates of food production and most variable river discharge. Specifically in sub-Saharan Africa it is estimated that more than two thirds of the population must leave their home to collect water (Graham et al., 2016). This reflects the under developed rural water systems which creates a barrier for a multitude of other basic needs such as cooking and washing. However, this ethnically-diverse region is rapidly urbanising which presents new water and sanitation issues. 

In reference to gender, these issues disproportionately affect women. Women and children are often those left responsible for water collection, and similarly responsible for household food production. The agricultural labour force in Kenya is made up of 86% females, therefore they are likely responsible for sourcing water for irrigation too (UNESCO, 2020). Other issues such as menstruation, child birth and general hygiene also affect the health and well-being of women. These topics will be be discussed throughout this blog but most importantly with a focus on the power relations at play and participatory development. Allowing women to overcome cultural and social barriers and have their voices heard is possibly the key to solving all these issues, yet too often women are still blocked from positions of power and influence (IFAD, 2007). Through workshops, drama groups or other activities womens experiences' can provide knowledge which is critical to creating solutions. At present we haven't heard nearly enough from women regarding solutions to improving access to safe water and water for productive use. 

I hope you look forward to reading the rest of my blog!