UN: Droughts hit women and girls hardest in vulnerable areas
In poor and rural regions around the globe, women and girls bear the brunt of drought's impacts, underscoring the need for water strategies to address their unique challenges, according to the United Nations.
Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The UN's world water development report calls for enhanced global cooperation on water resources to mitigate conflicts and improve conditions for women and girls.
- Access to clean water and safe sanitation significantly affect women's and girls' education and safety in disadvantaged areas.
- Conflicts over water, exacerbated by climate change, pollution and overuse, pose risks of local and regional disputes, impacting food security and health.
Key quote:
"As water stress increases, so do the risks of local or regional conflict."
— Audrey Azoulay, director general of UNESCO
Why this matters:
Climate-related water stress significantly impacts communities worldwide, but its effects tend to be more acute for women and girls, who often bear the brunt of environmental crises. Due to traditional roles and socio-economic factors, women and girls are primarily responsible for water collection in many cultures. This task becomes increasingly arduous and time-consuming as water scarcity, exacerbated by climate change, forces them to travel longer distances.
Bangladesh is on the front lines of a water crisis driven by climate change and politics. There, as in many other countries, women are made especially vulnerable by safe drinking water shortages.
