Redefining women's role in society

Lucy Akanboguure is a teacher from Kandiga, Ghana, whose life was transformed when WaterAid and its partner helped establish a safe water supply for her community.

Reflecting on the amazing difference that water has brought to her life, Lucy remarked:

"As one of the many WaterAid beneficiaries in Ghana I would like to say 'yaa tuma tuma', which means a special big thank you for the water and sanitation facilities that have changed our lives in so many ways."

Because of WaterAid's approach women's lives in particular have been greatly enhanced. Women are involved in decision-making and leadership roles - something that was unthinkable before.

Before WaterAid helped Lucy’s community gain access to safe water, Lucy had to get up at 3am every day to collect water from a river that was a 5km walk from her house.  The earliest Lucy could return home was by 10am and this meant that she was frequently late for work.

Lucy’s children suffered as they often did not have clean water to wash with and had to miss breakfast when Lucy could not be back in time to prepare food for her family.

In Lucy’s community women are expected to provide water every morning for their husbands.  In the past the lack of water often resulted in quarrels, wife beating or even divorce.  Lucy’s own husband filed for divorce once he moved to town for work.

Lucy noted "Fetching water took up most of the women's day. During their dark dawn journey to the river, some women were bitten by snakes, others fell down from fatigue, injuring themselves and breaking their water pots and calabashes.

"Girls were also expected to carry water and so very few enrolled in schools.  In many deprived communities today only one woman is educated for every 30 men.  Female teachers were rare - I was the only female teacher in my school.

"In Kandiga communities suffered most from water shortages during the long dry season from November to March.  Women quarreled, beat or injured one another and even broke one another's containers and calabashes in the 'mad' rush for water.

"Because water was so scarce we were forced to collect dirty water which posed severe health hazards.

"Sanitary facilities were generally non-existent.  Diarrhea, dysentery, guinea worm and cholera were rife and often resulted in death because we didn't have health facilities.  My children and others in the neighborhood were severely malnourished."

The next step

After hearing about WaterAid’s work in Ghana, Lucy organized her community and applied for assistance.  After several meetings, the project was approved and the first two hand-dug wells were constructed.

As part of the project requirements, the community provided labor, contributed funds and bought the handpumps.  WaterAid provided skilled labor and materials, and its local partner Rural Aid monitored the project, provided support and lined the wells.

The community was responsible for maintaining and managing the handpumps. They made monthly contributions to pay for repairs.

New beginnings

Lucy observed that that she felt very happy at having water at her doorstep, 24 hours a day, and knowing that she was safe from water related diseases.  Her life improved further once she had access to a proper toilet.

She remarked, "Life in my community has been peaceful. Fighting, quarrels, snakebites, tiredness and water related diseases are things of the past.  Men and children fetch water for all their needs and there is a remarkable increase in school enrollment for both boys and girls.  Our primary school is now fully staffed because teachers accept jobs as there is water nearby.

"My children and I now go to school as early as 7am.  I have time to organize groups of children for extra curricular activities like science clubs, drama groups, sports, and clean up campaigns.  I help train teachers and teach women in my community and am also educating people about the need for toilets.

"Because of WaterAid's approach women's lives in particular have been greatly enhanced.  They have time to look after their families and earn money by weaving or farming.  Previously women were seen as unintelligent.  Now they are seen as equals.

"They are involved in decision-making and can take up leadership roles - something that was unthinkable before.  I have been elected to represent my community in the District Assembly, the highest political authority at the district level."

Lucy believes that WaterAid's approach has gone far beyond the provision of good drinking water and sanitation facilities. Debates and decision-making have been strengthened; communities are encouraged to manage local and environmental resources, which in turn has led to industry, improved living conditions and better health.

"Life without water used to be awful, I had no time for myself and was always depressed, worrying where I could get water from.  I didn't think I was capable of anything.  Now I am so surprised by what I can do, I am surprised that I can do it and I am very happy."