Women and WaterAid Issue Sheet (PDF file, 4 pages)
by Maria Jett | September 9, 2007 at 11:37 AM
wa_logo.gifThis issue sheet offers a broad overview of how women's work, health and well-being is impacted by water issues, primarily in Africa and Asia. It concludes with a summary of women taking the issue into their own hands.
"In Africa and Asia women are generally responsible for collecting water for their families. On average, in rural Africa, women spend 26% of their time collecting water, which often means having to walk five miles or more to the nearest water source.
In the dry season, when water becomes more scarce, this distance can double and it can take hours just to fill up one container as the water slowly filters through the ground.
Women often have to wait in turn to collect water, forcing many to leave home in the middle of the night to reach the source when there is no queue. Then, when they have collected enough water for their family, they will start
the long journey back home carrying their heavy water containers."
Open the link below to read the full report on women and water.
