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  • Title: Women and water: the bucket stops here.
    Author: Yacoob M.
    Journal: Agric Inf Dev Bull; 1991 Dec; 13(4):25-8. PubMed ID: 12343456.
    Abstract:
    The provision of potable water alone does not significantly reduce the incidence of diarrhea. Yet if potable water is part of an integrated system with commitment by national and local officials and includes improved sanitation and hygiene education, substantial reductions in diarrhea do occur. Hygiene education should be based in existing community ideology, values, religion, and myth to change behavior and involve traditional leaders. Another benefit of projects is that women have more time to spend on other important activities, such as income generation. Since decisions revolving around water use are the responsibility of women in developing countries, their involvement in water supply and sanitation projects is crucial. They should take part in disseminating information and in managing water systems. They should also attend workshops on water and sanitation. For example, a study in Togo showed that the children of women who had participated in water projects were more likely to have complete immunization coverage and the women knew more about oral rehydration than those not involved. Nevertheless the health benefits of a water and sanitation project do not last if sustainability is not built into the project. For instance, water and sanitation specialists need to train community members to be responsible and manage improved water systems. In Yenmen, specialists introduced a water and sanitation project to the government as a project serving the entire community since anything focusing on women invites the evil eye. Most health workers, sanitarians, and engineers who had the experience and knowledge to teach women were men, so the project enlisted the women of the women's extension service of the Ministry of Agriculture to teach the women. These Arab women were excellent role models for behavioral change.
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