In the early hours of the morning, before the sun casts its first light, a 14-year-old girl embarks on her daily journey. With a 20-liter container balanced on her head, she navigates the treacherous path from her village in the Ilaje community of Ondo State Nigeria to the nearest water source, a journey of necessity that her family’s survival depends on. But one day, this routine task turns tragic when she is attacked and raped by assailants lying in wait along the secluded path—a stark, harrowing reality for many girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the quest for water can become a perilous endeavour.
This unfortunate incident underscores a profound paradox that plagues coastal communities across Sub-Saharan Africa: the abundance of water does not equate to accessibility of potable water. Despite the vast expanses of the Atlantic Ocean bordering their homes, communities like Ilaje in Ondo State, Nigeria, grapple with an acute scarcity of clean water. This scarcity not only jeopardizes health and livelihoods but also fuels a cycle of gender-based violence and systemic inequalities.
The statistics are staggering and reflect a broader crisis across the region. Sub-Saharan Africa, with its rich water resources, houses over 400 million individuals without access to safe drinking water, as reported by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. In coastal areas, the irony intensifies; water is everywhere but not a drop safe to drink. Specifically, in Ilaje, environmental degradation exacerbates the scarcity, contaminating local sources and compelling reliance on expensive vendors or unsafe rainwater.
This dire situation places an intolerable burden on women and girls, who bear the primary responsibility for water collection. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a mere 24% of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa has access to safe drinking water, necessitating long, dangerous treks that expose women and girls to heightened risks of assault and rape. Furthermore, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights that around 80% of conflicts in communities facing water scarcity stem from disputes over water access and control, underlining the intrinsic link between water scarcity and violence.
The repercussions of this crisis on gender dynamics are profound. The relentless pursuit of water not only exposes women to physical danger but also ensnares them in a cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and marginalization, preventing access to education and economic opportunities. The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health correlates severe water scarcity with alarmingly low literacy rates among women, perpetuating their disempowerment.
Yet, there is a glimmer of hope. This year’s World Water Day theme, “Leveraging Water for Peace,” advocates for innovative and inclusive solutions to water management. Community-led initiatives in Ilaje, such as rainwater harvesting projects and the introduction of affordable water purification technologies, are making strides in improving access to clean water. These efforts not only address the immediate needs but also foster a sense of community solidarity and resilience.
To truly leverage water for peace, it is imperative that governments, NGOs, and international bodies invest in sustainable water infrastructure and policies that prioritize the needs of the most vulnerable. This includes addressing the root causes of water scarcity, such as environmental degradation and climate change, while also implementing gender-sensitive approaches to water management.
As we reflect on the paradox of water scarcity in coastal communities of Sub-Saharan Africa, let us remember that water is not just a resource—it is the lifeline of communities, the foundation of peace and security, and a basic human right. On this World Water Day, let us commit to actions that bridge the gap between scarcity and abundance, ensuring that no one is left behind in the quest for universal access to clean water.
Water the Paradox of Water below