Water and Gender Equality

Access to water is a basic necessity for every human being, but in reality, it is not equally available to everyone, especially when seen from a gender perspective. In many parts of society, particularly in developing countries like India, women and girls are mainly responsible for collecting and managing water for household use. In my view, this responsibility is not just a daily task but reflects a deeper issue of gender inequality. Due to this burden, women and girls often lose valuable time that could otherwise be used for education, skill development, or earning opportunities.
This paper attempts to examine the relationship between water access and gender equality by focusing on issues such as water justice and unequal distribution of responsibilities. It also discusses whether access to water can be considered a fundamental human right and whether the duty of fetching water has become a socially imposed obligation on women. Further, the paper looks into the importance of gender-sensitive approaches in WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), especially in meeting the specific needs of women and girls. It also evaluates India’s progress in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with special reference to SDG 5 and SDG 6.