Women Water& Future-A Micro Study On Gender Inequalities And Exclusion

Abstract

Water is most essential for living things. However, increasing water pollution, ground water exploitation, privatization and improper management of water resources makes water more and more of a commercial product. Commercialization and deterioration of water resources has, in turn, led to acute water scarcity that questions the sustainable livelihood of human. The existing andocentric water management system poses threats to situations of un/underemployment, migration, food insecurity, poor water sanitation and feminization of poverty and labour. Water politics has been widening the gulf between powerful and power less in the name of caste, class, gender and market. This imbalanced power relationship marginalized women and children and make them more vulnerable Social Exclusion of women’s participation from the water management and governance worsens their access, control and rights on water even though they are closely associated with water as collectors, consumers and conservers. The embedded gender discrimination and division of labour in public and private spheres of society directly or indirectly alienate women from control over the resources in general, natural resources in particular.