World Water Crisis Having Unexpected Results

Photo courtesy of magnusfranklin.

This is one result of the global water crisis that we in the western world have not taken into consideration. However, if there were a more compelling reason to help get water to villages in the developing world, I don’t know what it is.

In the developing world the distance between villages and drinkable water is becoming ever more burdensome for the women and children who are the main gatherers of this precious liquid. In some villages, the trip to drinkable water is 2 hours each way and must be made more than once a day. The number of trips depends on the water consumption of the family and the amount of water the women and children can carry over long, rough terrain.

For centuries, women in the country of Kamuli (and many other countries) have been fetching water for home and field use. However, the water shortages have forced wives to travel long distances to collect drinkable water. The problem lies within the cultural norms in India. Husbands attribute the women being gone so long with love affairs or other indiscretions. This has led to domestic violence and divorce in many families.

In a twist of culture that benefits no one, few women receive formal water management education even though they are primary water keepers of the country. India still considers the knowledge a man’s business.

Circle of Blue reports:

Parliament Deputy Speaker Rebecca Kadaga told delegates from the World Malayalee Council — an Indian nongovernmental organization — that the water depletion in Kamuli had led to many women being divorced and beaten by their husbands.

“Kamuli has 18 sub-counties and over 100 parishes, but there are cases where four villages share one water source and others do not have,” Kadaga added.

We may look at this situation and say there is no excuse for violence; but, unfortunately, this is just one of the many instances in which violence will be sparked by water shortages.

More from Circle of Blue/Water News:

Gender inequality was a major theme at the 5th World Water Forum held in Istanbul in March this year. At a special gender session, delegates to the forum discussed the impact of unequal gender roles for the health, dignity and social progress of women, particularly in less developed societies.

Photo courtesy Circle of Blue/Water News.

Global Water Discussions Draw 120 Nations

Photo Courtesy of the Scurry Group

Istanbul is home to the World Water Forum 2009 to address the ever-increasing water crisis. In just 21 short years (2030) one-half of the world’s population (approx. 4 billion people) will be living in areas of “acute water shortage”. In response to this finding issued in a report by the UN last week, 120 countries have convened in Istanbul in an attempt to ensure an adequate water supply worldwide and prevent wars breaking out over water resources.

Already there are growing tensions and small skirmishes between many countries fighting over rivers, lakes and glaciers. If these issues are not addressed now; we will stand no chance of addressing them later. We must make provisions now to ensure that the water-deprived areas will be provided for during future crises.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who attended the meeting, said that water scarcity is a "potent fuel for wars and conflict," according to Reuters. Today there are 1 billion people living without access to safe drinking water and sanitation and the situation will only get bleaker. Wars and conflict don’t seem so fantastic when you ask yourself the question, “How far would I go to ensure my child(ren) had sufficient safe water to drink?"

A particularly striking example of just how far people are willing to go is the Sudan, where water shortages are one of the underlying causes of the Darfur crisis. The issue is very complex; but, the combination of decades of drought, desertification, and overpopulation are among the causes of the conflict.

Water is also a major issue between Israel and its Arab neighbors; and, the states of Central Asia. Here it is a case of one of the world's driest places, trying to grow thirsty crops (cotton and grain) as their main source of livelihood.

Meanwhile, Tajikistan has asked the World Water Forum to intercede in its dispute with Kyrgyzstan.

These cases – being played out on the world stage - will set the tone for years to come on how effective dialogue and moderation will be considered by the “dry” nations; and, consequently how willing they will be to participate in them. The dry nations, of course, have the most to lose.

By 2050, our population will have increased by 2.5 billion souls for a total of 9.1 billion of us swarming over the planet. Unfortunately, most of these births will be in countries that have problems with water shortages/scarcity already. Adding more demands to a system that cannot handle the present demands is just adding fuel to the fire. As these dryland populations increase alleviating poverty and hunger will become exponentially more difficult.

News of what specific action will be taken by the council remains vague — Reuters offers only this report:

"The heads of state, environment and development ministers, scientists and development organizations hope to draw up a list of recommendations to help safeguard water resources and to share experiences where projects have been successful."

This is a massive first step towards addressing this goliath of an issue – recognizing the coming water shortage and engaging 120 countries (and counting, hopefully) in dialogue regarding the handling of the situation.

Let’s hope it is not too little, too late. The talks take place March 16-22, 2009. Also on the agenda will be discussions on how to avert catastrophic floods and droughts as climate patterns change; and, how the global financial crisis threatens to hit large-scale water infrastructure projects with the next several years.