Final Remarks

Gender inequality is a crucial issue that needs to be addressed globally. In Africa, women are at a disadvantage regarding access to water, water privatisation, sanitation, COVID-19 and climate change (to name those that I have covered in this blog) and often have little power when it comes to water management and decision making.

Over the course of writing this blog, it seems to me that the main reason for this gender disparity is due to a long-established culture of female subordinance to men (something that is prevalent globally and not just in Africa), which has meant that women have not had the power to speak up and campaign for change.

However, it is not all doom and gloom and things are improving. That is why I also wanted to highlight the role African women have and continue to play in solving these issues. From those at a local level like the Becheve women and the women living around Lake Chad, to those attempting to address inequalities on a larger scale like Patricia Kameri-Mbote and Catherine Nakalembe. Their efforts have made a real, long lasting and impactful difference.

Although there is still much to be done, change is happening, and progress will continue to be made as the critical relationship between gender and water in Africa is increasingly brought to the forefront.

Girls washing their hands in their new school toilet block in the Bongo District, Ghana

Taken from https://www.wateraid.org/uk/our-annual-reports, 2019/20 annual report