Concluding Thoughts

Africa is abundant in freshwater, however, the challenge lies within its unequal distribution, access, and availability. I wanted to understand how gender became relevant within water and development. 

Throughout this blog, I have begun to understand the true scope of this relationship. Mainly, women are most affected by the lack of access to safe and clean water; they are burdened by water collection duties, WASH facilities are not catered for their specific needs, and they suffer from gender discrimination, especially for menstruation, which for many women, becomes a source of shame or discrimination when it is nothing but natural.

Awareness of these problems is a powerful tool. This blog has allowed me to research just how critical these issues are. I realise now more than ever that I have been lucky enough to live a privileged life. As a woman from the UK, I have taken for granted what I considered normal, such as having reliable sanitation facilities. 

It is especially daunting to now realise just how much work there is left to be done to achieve true gender equality. Women may share the same female anatomy, however, the experiences of women who face a lack of clean water, and period poverty, are so distant from my own, that an invisible barrier remains when attempting to relate my experiences to African women’s everyday struggles and sacrifices. 

Nonetheless, I understand better what can be done to alleviate their situation. Of course, this is easier said than done. What would be useful is a paradigm shift, this would improve gender equality beyond simply providing WASH infrastructures, such as fundamentally addressing the socio-cultural practices that restrict women’s progress towards independence and success. 

Although women are the key focus point of almost all the case studies I have explored, it is crucial that development policies strengthen efforts to also engage men in discussions. 

It has brought me joy to know the amount of crucial work that has been achieved by organisations such as AFRIpads, the Hippo Roller and Organicup. Above all, we must empower women with our support, help them improve their living standards and rights, and allow their voices to be heard and to be taken seriously in all decision-making processes. This is the way to have better control over their futures and achieve gender equality. 

There are also multiple other vital topics which I, unfortunately, have not been able to write about in detail, such as gender-based violence, female participation in both water management and small-scale irrigation. I will continue to learn more about women’s challenges, stay informed and raise awareness.