Trapped by Water- Women burdened by the water crisis

source: water.org

The burden of the water crisis has long term ramifications for women in affected regions, as the need for water bars them from pursuing skills that may allow them to escape poverty. Plenty of countries out there in the world are still suffering from water scarcity. Especially in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda in Africa, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Philippines in Asia, and Brazil, Honduras, and Peru in Latin America. This takes about 40% of the world's population that lacks access to adequate sanitation systems. 

Not only lack of water, but also access to safe water and sanitation is difficult for the people in those affected regions. Most of the countries with water scarcity, women are responsible for collecting water, which takes time away from work, school, and caring for family. It also ties with a health  In average, women and girls spend up to 6 hours every day collecting water, carrying 40 pounds of water, walking 3.5 miles back and forth. This implies that they do not even have time to get proper education or attend school. Since they are spending most of the time searching for water, it affects their health crisis; they are at risk for increased violence as they travel rural areas in search of water. Thus, access to safe water is highly demanding as it strongly ties in with health problem such as, psychological stress, physical injury from constant lifting and carrying heavy loads of water. Empowering women means reduced risk of rape, sexual assault and increased safety as women and girls do not have to go to remote and dangerous places to relieve themselves. Once the problem of water is solved, it can turn the problem of education, work opportunities, and health for women, children, and families into potential.

The communities such as Water For People, The Water Project, and Water.org, are working globally to help this situation by getting in touch with them physically and raising funds by donation. 

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For further resources check out these websites: Website one , Website two

By Jimin Jun