Syllabus: GS-I, Subject: Society and Social Justice, Topic: Issues of women, Issue: Effect of water insecurity on women
Data point:
- Over 41% of rural households in India lack access to safely managed drinking water within their homes. (NSSO 78th Round)
Water insecurity-effects of on women:
- Water collection, a gendered activity, disproportionately burdens women and girls.
- Girls’ education suffers due to water-related burdens.
- Gender-based violence during water collection, affecting mental health.
- Inadequate water access and open defecation increase health risks like diarrhea.
- Women face risks of non-partner sexual violence due to these conditions.
Jal Jeevan Mission(JJM)-addressing these concerns:
- Focuses on providing household tap connections for drinking water access.
- This reduces women’s drudgery and empowers them for gainful activities.
- Increased participation of women in community engagement including Pani Samitis.
- JJM guidelines recommend training women for water quality monitoring.
Conclusion:
- Mainstream gender considerations in water access policy.
| +1 advantage for mains (Case study)
● A study in Tamil Nadu found that JJM reduced women’s time spent on water collection, allowing for better household management. ● Women with better empowerment indicators showed improved mental health and spent less time seeking water. ● Positive correlations exist between water and sanitation access. |
