In many rural and urban societies, women have traditionally been responsible for water provisioning, household hygiene, livestock care, and dairy production, among other roles. With the intensification of water scarcity-largely a consequence of mismanagement and climate change-the burden on women has increased, especially in areas facing severe water shortages. Women endure prolonged waiting times for water tankers, longer journeys to fetch water, and frequent household water outages, leading to significant physical and mental strain. Despite their substantial contributions, women have minimal representation in water resource decision-making processes. Their exclusion stems from cultural barriers, traditional norms, and patriarchal attitudes. Enhancing women's participation in water management can significantly improve resource governance. Strategies to empower women include promoting female-centric organizations, supporting rural women's involvement in local councils, and offering training in irrigation management and water system maintenance.
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World Bank. (2021). Enhancing women’s access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in Bangladesh.
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