The women water bond
The relationship between women and water is intrinsically clear
First question, have you ever wondered why the bond between women and water is so strong? The answer is simple. It's because women understand the value of clean water more than anyone in this world. They spend a colossal 200 million hours every day collecting it. This is at the cost of their time which they can otherwise spend on childcare, household tasks, or even leisure activities. Second question, what is the feeling when water is easily available for women? Let’s find out together. In the Gambella region of Ethiopia, where UNICEF with support from KfW built the Itang water scheme, we have asked women and girls about how it feels to have water near their homes. Here is their reaction:
“I can’t even begin to describe what water means to us [women]. It is everything that our life depends on. I used to go to the Baro River to collect water. But now I have it here. I have four children and it becomes easy to care for them. Every morning, I go to the water point which is right in front of my house. After I fetch water, I cook our meal and then wash the dishes. I don’t have to worry about leaving my little boy behind because we have water here.”
Nyachan Joak, a mother
“I wash my face with the water from here. It feels great! Bathing is also great. I sometimes take a bath with my friends from the village. It is fun. Bathing makes us clean and healthy. I enjoy it. I am happy that we have water in our village.”
Nyaber Bidit, nine-year-old girl
“I fetch water at least two times a day from the water kiosk. Water has more meaning to women because we are the ones responsible to collect it and use it in the house. As the first girl child in the house, I am responsible for cooking, washing clothes, and cleaning the dishes. I am now cooking lunch with the water I have collected in the morning. Water is vital for life.”
Nyayang Gatbel, 17
“I am six months pregnant with my fourth child. The good thing is, I don’t need to go far to collect water. It would have been difficult otherwise. Previously, I used the hand pump which is labour intensive. Even before that, I had to go to the river to fetch water. Now we have clean water here. I am so happy. Water is life. Having clean water here is like having a big support by your side, like someone close to you; say your husband, or your mother.”
Nyawech Put, a pregnant mother
“Water is important for the entire family. Today, I am helping my mother wash some clothes and fetching water from the kiosk here. I also help her at home. I am in 4th grade and will go to school later. I am glad that we have water here. We can easily use it in the house for cleaning cooking and bathing. I can also easily attend school.”
Vittamen Khor, 14
“I run the water kiosk. Women come here every morning to fetch water. In our culture, women are responsible to fetch water and do everything in the house with it. It is not an easy task. I make also a living selling water in the kiosk and it helps me cover my expenses. I feel proud to see women coming here and collecting water easily. The community is happy that they can access water here without going to the river. For me, water is simply life.”
Nyayong Koang, water kiosk operator
