Author : RFLD’s Research Team
In French-speaking Africa, the availability and accessibility of clean water remain central to numerous societal challenges. From bustling urban centers to remote rural communities, the scarcity and unequal distribution of water resources continue to fuel conflict, perpetuate inequality, and disproportionately impact marginalized and minority groups.
Women, in particular, bear a significant burden in this ongoing struggle. The collection, management, and use of water are often deeply intertwined with women’s daily lives and livelihoods. They are often responsible for securing water for their households, tending to crops, and caring for livestock. The challenges they face in accessing and controlling water resources are inextricably linked to broader issues of gender inequality and social justice.
Feminist activists and scholars across French-speaking Africa have long recognized the critical role of gender in shaping experiences of water insecurity. They highlight how the unequal distribution of power and resources, along with deeply entrenched social norms and practices, often limit women’s access to and control over water.
In Senegal, for instance, recurrent water cuts in the capital city of Dakar disproportionately affect women, who are often responsible for managing household water supplies. The lack of adequate notice from water management authorities further compounds the problem, forcing women to scramble for alternative sources of water or ration their limited supplies.
Even in regions where water is relatively abundant, access remains uneven. Women farmers, in particular, face significant challenges in accessing water for irrigation and other agricultural purposes. Traditional land tenure systems and patriarchal norms often limit women’s ability to own or control land, which in turn restricts their access to water resources. Despite their crucial role in food production, women often find themselves marginalized in decision-making processes related to water management.
Similar concerns resonate across the region. In countries like Benin, Togo, Niger, Nigeria, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea, women often shoulder the primary responsibility for collecting water for their households. The high cost of water, coupled with low incomes, makes access a daily struggle. Women engaged in trade and other informal economic activities face additional challenges in securing adequate water for their businesses.
The Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD)’s handbook, “A Tool for Women on the Frontlines for Water Justice in Sub-Saharan Africa,” delves into this critical issue, shedding light on the struggles faced by women and the pivotal role they play in advocating for water justice. This invaluable resource not only exposes the “violent realities” of water scarcity, which are often a direct result of neoliberal policies that prioritize profit over people, but also celebrates the unwavering spirit of African women leading the charge for change. The RFLD handbook recognizes that the fight for water justice requires a multi-faceted approach. It emphasizes the importance of fostering solidarity among women leaders, encouraging collaboration and joint action to amplify their voices and create a united front against water inequalities and climate injustices. By building coalitions and supporting networks, women can strengthen their advocacy efforts and ensure their demands are heard and addressed at local, national, and international levels. Additionally, the handbook underscores the necessity of capacity building. Through improved access to resources and training, RFLD empowers civil society organizations and media outlets to challenge biased narratives and effectively advocate for just and democratic control of water resources.
Data-Driven Insights and the Power of Storytelling
The handbook is grounded in robust data collected through interviews with women, local authorities, and NGOs across eight Sub-Saharan African nations. This evidence-based approach provides a crucial foundation for understanding the specific challenges faced by different communities and tailoring interventions accordingly. By incorporating diverse perspectives and lived experiences, the handbook paints a comprehensive picture of the water crisis and the unique struggles faced by women. However, it goes beyond mere statistics, recognizing the power of storytelling as a means of humanizing the issue. By sharing their experiences and the impact of water scarcity on their daily lives, women leaders can foster empathy and understanding among a wider audience, galvanizing support for their cause.
Beyond the Handbook: RFLD’s Impact on the Ground
RFLD’s commitment to water justice extends far beyond the publication of this handbook. The organization actively supports women leaders in both urban and rural areas across Sub-Saharan Africa, providing them with the tools and resources needed to drive change in their communities. Through capacity-building workshops, mentorship programs, and advocacy training, RFLD empowers these women to become effective agents of change. The impact of their work is undeniable. By fostering solidarity, strengthening capacities, and amplifying the voices of those most affected, RFLD is contributing to a growing movement for water justice in Sub-Saharan Africa. With increased access to resources and a stronger collective voice, women are better positioned to challenge the status quo and secure a future where water is a right, not a privilege.
CASE STUDIES
- Benin: A market woman in Cotonou describes the daily challenge of securing enough water for her family and her small business. “I wake up before dawn to collect water from the communal tap, but the lines are always long, and the water pressure is low. By the time I get home, I’m exhausted, and I still have a whole day of work ahead of me.”
- Togo: A young mother in a rural village explains how the lack of clean water affects her children’s health. “My youngest child is always getting sick because we have to drink from the contaminated river. I worry about his future, and I wish I could provide him with a better life.”
- Niger: A woman farmer in the Sahel region shares her struggle to irrigate her crops during the dry season. “The drought has been devastating. We’ve lost most of our livestock, and our crops are failing. Without access to water, we have no way to feed our families.”
- Burkina Faso: A community leader in Ouagadougou describes the impact of water scarcity on women’s education. “Girls are often forced to drop out of school to help their mothers collect water. This perpetuates the cycle of poverty and limits their opportunities for the future.”
- Mali: A woman displaced by conflict in the north of the country talks about the challenges of accessing water in a refugee camp. “We have to wait in long lines for hours just to get a few liters of water. It’s not enough for drinking, let alone cooking or washing.”
- Guinea: A woman living with HIV/AIDS explains how the lack of clean water affects her health and well-being. “I need to take my medication with clean water, but it’s hard to find. I’m constantly worried about getting sick.”
- Central African Republic (CAR): A woman who has survived sexual violence describes how the lack of safe water and sanitation facilities puts women and girls at risk. “We’re afraid to go to the bathroom at night because it’s not safe. We’re vulnerable to attack, and there’s nowhere to wash ourselves afterward.”
- Mauritania: A woman activist in Nouakchott talks about the importance of empowering women to fight for their right to water. “We need to educate women about their rights and give them the tools to advocate for themselves. We can’t wait for someone else to solve our problems.”
The Collective Struggle for Equitable Access
In response to these challenges, feminist organizations and networks across French-speaking Africa are actively advocating for equitable access to water. They are working to raise awareness about the gender dimensions of water insecurity, mobilize communities, and challenge discriminatory policies and practices.
One key area of focus is the need for greater initiative from both governments and civil society to address the root causes of water insecurity. This includes strengthening legal frameworks that protect the human right to water, investing in infrastructure to improve access and sanitation, and promoting sustainable water management practices.
Another important aspect of the feminist struggle for water is the call for greater participation of women in decision-making processes related to water management. Women’s knowledge and experiences are crucial for developing effective and equitable solutions to water scarcity and inequality.
Furthermore, feminist organizations emphasize the importance of addressing the underlying social and economic inequalities that perpetuate water insecurity. This includes challenging patriarchal norms and practices that limit women’s access to and control over resources, as well as promoting economic empowerment initiatives that enable women to earn a decent living and provide for their families.
The Neoliberal Model and its Critique
Despite the persistent challenges of water insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa, where over 40% of the population still lacks access to clean drinking water, dominant neoliberal approaches to the water crisis often focus on market-based solutions. These approaches view water scarcity as a problem of supply and demand, advocating for the privatization and commodification of water resources.
This neoliberal model, promoted by international financial institutions and multinational corporations, argues that market forces will lead to more efficient and equitable water allocation. However, critics of this approach argue that it has often led to increased costs, reduced access for the poor, and the erosion of public control over essential resources.
The commodification of water, where water is treated as a marketable commodity rather than a public good, has had particularly devastating consequences for women in poor and marginalized communities. As water prices rise, women are often forced to make difficult choices between paying for water and other essential needs such as food, healthcare, and education.
Feminist and Ecofeminist Alternatives
In contrast to the neoliberal model, feminist and ecofeminist organizations advocate for alternative approaches that prioritize the human right to water and the collective management of water resources. They reject the notion that water should be treated as a commodity and call for greater public control and community participation in water management.
These alternative approaches highlight the interconnectedness of water with other critical issues such as food security, health, environmental sustainability, and climate change. They emphasize the need for holistic and integrated solutions that address the root causes of water insecurity and promote social and ecological justice.
Ecofeminist perspectives, in particular, draw attention to the deep connections between the exploitation of women and the exploitation of nature. They argue that the patriarchal systems that dominate many societies contribute to both the oppression of women and the degradation of the environment. Addressing water insecurity, from this perspective, requires challenging these systems and promoting more equitable and sustainable relationships between humans and the natural world.
The Way Forward: Mobilizing for Change
The struggle for water in French-speaking Africa is a multifaceted and ongoing challenge. It requires a concerted effort from governments, civil society organizations, and communities to address the complex and interconnected issues that contribute to water insecurity.
Feminist perspectives offer valuable insights into the gendered dimensions of the water crisis and provide a powerful critique of neoliberal approaches. They call for a paradigm shift in water management that prioritizes the needs of the most vulnerable and marginalized, promotes gender equality, and respects the intrinsic value of water as a source of life.
The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated. Climate change, population growth, and increasing demand for water resources are putting immense pressure on already strained systems. The time for action is now.
African governments must commit to upholding the human right to water and investing in sustainable water management practices. Civil society organizations must continue to mobilize and advocate for equitable access to water and greater participation of women in decision-making processes.
By working together and embracing feminist and ecofeminist perspectives, we can create a more just and sustainable future where water is recognized as a shared resource that benefits all. The struggle for water is a struggle for life, dignity, and equality. It is a struggle that women in French-speaking Africa are leading with courage and determination, and it is a struggle that we must all support.