Fetching drinking water is a challenging daily routine for millions of women in India. Each day, women walk long distances, often balancing plastic or earthen pots on their heads while carrying buckets to manage their household water supply.
Women frequently travel long distances to access reliable water sources, which can consume four to five hours of their day. The water they collect is often contaminated, necessitating additional efforts to treat it before it can be used safely.
The daily burden of carrying heavy pots leads to chronic back and neck pain, fatigue, and overall weakness. These health issues significantly affect their quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
The time spent fetching water limits women's ability to engage in paid employment. Even those who wish to work find it challenging to commit to jobs due to their demanding schedules.
A 2023 report by WHO and UNICEF indicates that 1.8 billion people worldwide rely on off-premises sources for drinking water, with women and girls responsible for this task in seven out of ten households.
The necessity to secure drinking water constrains women's participation in paid activities, which hinders their financial independence. This situation contributes to a significant loss in potential economic growth for the country.
The total contribution of unpaid women's labor in India is estimated to be around 22.7 billion rupees, accounting for nearly 7.5% of the nation's total GDP.
It is estimated that Indian women collectively spend 150 million workdays each year fetching water, a staggering figure that underscores the magnitude of this issue.
The Indian government is actively working to enhance water infrastructure, having provided piped water to approximately 74% of rural households by January 2024.
For families with access to piped water, the change has been life-altering, drastically reducing the time and effort spent on water collection. This improvement not only eases daily life but also opens up new opportunities for women.
Despite advancements, many regions still lack access to tap water. In these areas, women continue to dedicate a significant portion of their day to finding and collecting water, which adversely affects their quality of life and economic opportunities.
Q1. What are the primary health impacts of water scarcity on women in India?
Answer: Women often suffer from chronic back and neck pain, fatigue, and weakness due to the daily burden of carrying heavy water containers over long distances.
Q2. How does fetching water limit women's economic opportunities?
Answer: The time spent collecting water prevents women from engaging in paid employment, making it difficult for them to achieve financial independence and improve their livelihoods.
Q3. What does the WHO report say about global water collection?
Answer: The 2023 WHO and UNICEF report states that 1.8 billion people worldwide collect drinking water from off-premises sources, with women and girls primarily responsible in 70% of households.
Q4. How much unpaid labor do women contribute to the Indian economy?
Answer: Unpaid women's labor in India is estimated to contribute around 22.7 billion rupees, which is about 7.5% of the total GDP, reflecting their critical role in the economy.
Q5. What efforts are being made to improve water access in rural India?
Answer: The Indian government has improved water infrastructure, providing piped water to approximately 74% of rural households by January 2024, significantly impacting women's daily lives.
Question 1: What is the primary health issue faced by women due to water collection?
A) Chronic fatigue
B) Skin diseases
C) Back and neck pain
D) Respiratory issues
Correct Answer: C
Question 2: What percentage of India's GDP is attributed to unpaid women's labor?
A) 5%
B) 7.5%
C) 10%
D) 15%
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How many workdays do Indian women spend fetching water annually?
A) 100 million
B) 150 million
C) 200 million
D) 250 million
Correct Answer: B
Question 4: What proportion of households globally rely on women and girls for water collection?
A) 50%
B) 60%
C) 70%
D) 80%
Correct Answer: C
Question 5: By what year did the Indian government aim to provide piped water to 74% of rural households?
A) 2022
B) 2023
C) 2024
D) 2025
Correct Answer: C
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