Written by

September 17, 2021


How Does Safe Water Impact Safety

In many countries, the presence or absence of a safe and sufficient water supply and improved sanitation facilities has an unequal effect on the lives of women and girls. Women and girls usually bear the responsibility for collecting water, which is often very time-consuming and difficult. Females are also more vulnerable to abuse and attack while walking to fetch water and using a toilet or open defecation site.

For all the water they need for drinking, washing, cooking, cleaning – women walk miles, carry heavy vessels, wait for hours and often pay undue prices. The work is all-consuming. Once they are old enough, girls join this effort.

This may increase the exposure to the violence of those girls and women who live in households that lack safe access to sufficient water and sanitation facilities. Boys and men may also come across violence in accessing water and sanitation, with local standards around masculinity impeding their ability to avoid or report on experiences of violence.

Socially marginalised groups, such as people with disabilities, may have problems accessing latrines, or those from lower castes – where rooted discrimination may prohibit the use of common sanitation sources, may experience increased difficulties in safely meeting their daily water and sanitation needs.

Worldwide, 1 in 3 people lack access to a toilet. In many countries it is not acceptable for women to relieve themselves in the open during the day, so they wait for nightfall, just to have privacy. This impacts health and puts their safety at risk.

Waiting to use the bathroom exposes women to other health risks, such as painful and costly urinary tract infections. Avoiding using the bathroom by dehydrating oneself is also detrimental to the overall health of the woman.

Improved sanitation for women is critical to lifting the status, wellbeing, and opportunities of women everywhere. With improved sanitation, girls can go to school uninterrupted. Women can run small businesses without leaving early to find a faraway toilet or wait all day to go outside and also walk miles to get safe water.

You can help by donating towards or funding a water project with Islamic Relief.

All our WASH implemented projects include culturally-sensitive hygiene and sanitation awareness sessions and the formation and training of community WASH committees.

Donate Now

© Copyrights 2024 Islamic Relief SA. All rights reserved Charity Registration Number - 043-357-NPO

QUICK DONATE