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An Analysis of Gender–water Nexus in Rural Bangladesh

I.M. Faisal*
International Finance Corporation, Bangladesh.

M.R. Kabir**
The University of Asia Pacific, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This article presents a comprehensive analysis of the gender–water nexus in rural Bangladesh based on extensive field survey, focus group discussion, and interview with key informants, all carried out at seven study locations across Bangladesh. It presents the findings in four key areas: household water management, health and well-being, irrigation water management, and water-related vulnerability. It has been observed that water for household use is collected by women and children, who face an array of physical, psychological and social problems. How water is collected depends on income/social class, location of water source, time of the day, and religious/cultural factors. The time spent for water collection imposes significant opportunity costs as loss of income and education opportunities. Tube well water is widely used for drinking, but pond and river water is extensively used for other purposes. This, along with the lack of sanitation, causes a frequent outbreak of water-borne diseases. Improper storage of water, poorly maintained tube wells, and arsenic in shallow wells pose additional threats to health. Women in arsenic-affected areas face ex-communication if detected with arsenicosis; in coastal areas women are forced to fry collection under very unhealthy and unsafe conditions. These difficulties are exacerbated during natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Presently, there is very little participation of women in agricultural water management as ‘right to water’ is perceived as linked with ‘right to land’, over which women have little control. These hardships and deprivations are fundamentally caused by the lack of a number of factors: awareness, education, access to resources, empowerment, and institutional support. This article suggests a range of policy interventions to address these issues.

Keywords: Collection, Empowerment, Gender, Health, Irrigation, Policy

Location: In rural Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Water productivity

Objectives:

The article will discuss the role of women in agriculture and irrigation water management. The article will also focus on how water-related natural disasters and access to water influence the vulnerability of rural women. In the concluding section, the article gives a number of policy suggestions based on the findings of this study.

Methodology:

The primary information was collected from seven study locations (villages) that are situated in seven different agro-ecological zones (corresponding to six hydrological zones) of Bangladesh. In each study village, 100 households were selected using stratified random sampling methods. The findings of the questionnaire survey were cross-checked during focus group discussions (FGDs). Additionally, separate meeting were arranged with local NGOs to seek their views on gender-specific issues. These local NGOs work on a range of rural development issues, including gender issues such as female education, empowerment, and participation of women in local governance. Table 1 provides the details on the study areas and the partner NGOs.

In order to capture gender issues as accurately as possible, only female respondents were consulted and most of them were female heads-of-the households. In some conservative areas, it was necessary to involve female surveyors to fill the questionnaires as the female respondents were reluctant or unwilling to have extended discussions with male surveyors.

Information so collected has been compiled and analyzed to shed light on four focus areas: socio-economic background of the respondents; the pattern of collection, storage and use of water by women and its implications for family health and well-being; the role of women in agriculture and water management; and the impact of access to water and natural disasters on the vulnerability of rural women.

Source of Information: JOURNAL OF DEVELOPING SOCIETIES 21(1–2)

Article Link (Online Journal): Vol 21(1–2): 175–194. DOI: 10.1177/0169796X05054623

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It would be very difficult to fully address all the vulnerability issues though, since floods and droughts are facts of life in rural Bangladesh. Given the high population density and small size of the country, it would be impossible to reduce vulnerability from these natural disasters in the short run. In the long run, however, economic growth and higher incomes will allow the rural population, including women, to relocate out of flood-prone areas. Given the fact that most of Bangladesh is an active delta crisscrossed by some 250 rivers, it is not conceivable that full protection from flood through structural measures can be provided to the millions of people who live and work in the flood plains.

At the core, many of the problems that women in rural communities face are due to the lack of access to resources, including water. Thus, empowering women would mean organizing women in rural areas, imparting them necessary training and skills, and providing them with access to water, land and credit inputs they may need, so that they can pursue sustainable livelihoods on their own.

Knowledge Management: Journal