Water and gender in Africa

Climate change is a global problem; however, it effects some people more than others, climate change is expected to increase the frequency and magnitude of these events. In particular it impacts developing countries, and the vulnerable within them. Many of the effects of climate change which they receive includes water based problems, as much if Africa receives droughts and flooding. These difficulties have dire consequences for those who are socially and economically vulnerable, this often includes women. Women face the brunt of these occasions not only because of social and economic factors but because of their geographic location.  These extreme weathers have killed more women than men and this is often due to the socio-economic status of the women. In this blog, I will be exploring the ways in which women in Africa are subject to a harsher climate change than men, and the reasons for this occurrence. According to the IPCC ( Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) South

In Africa 90% of gathering water and wood is done by women. The collection of water in Africa is a huge inequality between genders, as women are expected to collect water and other household necessities, such as fire wood, while the men go to work.  On average, women and children travel 10-15 km a day to collect and carry 15 litres. Water collection is a “woman’s job” as it must do with the home, it is seen as the women’s job to keep the household running while the man works for the money for the family. Travelling vast amounts of distance on foot while carrying heavy amounts of water is sure to cause some health problems in the long term. Medical research shows cases of permanent damage done to women’s health credited to carrying water. These problems can rage from chronic fatigue and spinal and pelvic deformities which could impact their reproductive health and lead to spontaneous abortions. This damage done to their reproductive health can in turn create tensions within the

For my first post, I chose to discuss the issue of sanitation for women and girls, it is not only a problem in Africa but is a problem which is shared globally. However, what I have found interesting about this issue in Africa was the urban mythology creating and reinforcing such issues for girls. The urban legend of Pinky Pinky is mainly popular with prepubescent girls, who often fear the pink half human, half animal monster who lives in the girl’s toilets. It is said that this monster waits in the toilets to terrorize and rape the innocent girls who dare to wear the colour pink. Many artists, including Penny Siopis have been influenced by the legend of Pinky Pinky and have used it in their work. For example, Figure 1, shows Pinky Pinky looking up at a young girl who does not appear to be comfortable. A popular reason for the creation of this being is the fact that many girls went missing, and was rumoured to have gone missing while going to the toilets. This invention of Pi