Unesco calls for action as lack of access and sanitation hit health, education and food security of women
Women and girls are bearing the brunt of water shortages and a lack of sanitation around the world, hindering the economic and social development of poorer countries, the UN has warned.
Women are responsible for collecting water in more than 70% of rural households that do not have access to mains water across the developing world. Women and girls collectively spend 250m hours a day collecting water globally.
The climate crisis is exacerbating the problem, according to a new report from the UN. A 1C rise in temperature reduces incomes in female-headed households by 34% more than in male-headed ones, while also causing women’s weekly labour hours to increase by an average of 55 minutes relative to men’s.
The UN has called on countries to address the imbalance, which is leading to poorer health and worse educational prospects for women, while also affecting food security. Khaled El-Enany, the director general of Unesco, said: “Ensuring women’s participation in water management and governance is a key driver for progress and sustainable development. We must step up efforts to safeguard women and girls’ access to water. When women have equal access to water, everyone benefits.”
