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VOL. 1, ISSUE 1 (2025)
Women and water: A gendered perspective on roles and challenges
Authors
Ranjita Mondal
Abstract
The management and acquisition of water resources
are profoundly gendered activities, with women and men experiencing
water-related roles, responsibilities, and challenges in distinctly different
ways. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the intricate nexus
between gender and water, arguing that water is not merely a natural resource
but a social one, deeply embedded in cultural norms, economic structures, and
power dynamics that often disadvantage women. It begins by exploring the
multifaceted roles women play as primary domestic water managers, key agents in
agricultural water use, and custodians of water-related knowledge and
traditions. The discussion then delves into the significant challenges’ women
face, including the physical and temporal burden of water collection, health
and safety risks, and systemic exclusion from water governance and
decision-making processes. The methodological approach synthesizes findings
from a wide range of interdisciplinary literature, including development
studies, public health, anthropology, and environmental science, drawing on
empirical case studies from Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and other regions
in the Global South. The results highlight how the commodification of water and
the impacts of climate change exacerbate existing gendered inequalities, further
marginalizing women. The discussion critiques the historical gender-blindness
of water policies and advocates for the necessity of gender-mainstreaming in
all future water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) and integrated water resources
management (IWRM) initiatives. The conclusion asserts that achieving global
water security and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 5
(Gender Equality) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), is inextricably
linked to empowering women, recognizing their agency, and ensuring their
equitable participation in water governance. The transformation of water from a
source of burden to a source of empowerment for women is not only a moral
imperative but a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development.
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Pages:22-25
How to cite this article:
Ranjita Mondal "Women and water: A gendered perspective on roles and challenges". World Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 1, Issue 1, 2025, Pages 22-25
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