Water Crisis & Gender Equity in Rural Pakistan

Water is a vital resource for human survival, food production, and national stability, yet in rural Pakistan, access to clean drinking water remains a major challenge. According to the World Bank (2023), nearly 70% of rural residents do not have access to safe water sources. In these communities, women are the primary stewards of water, they are responsible for collecting, storing, and conserving it for household use. Despite the central role they play, their voices are largely absent from formal water governance and decision-making processes. This exclusion not only perpetuates gender inequality but also weakens efforts to address Pakistan’s worsening water crisis, which is now ranked as the third most severe globally (IMF, 2023).

Women in rural Pakistan walk an average of 5 to 10 kilometers daily to fetch water (Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources, 2023). This daily burden takes a heavy toll. It reduces school attendance for girls by up to 40% (UNICEF, 2023), as many are pulled out of school to help with water collection. For adult women, the time spent gathering water, often 3 to 5 hours each day, significantly limits opportunities to engage in income-generating activities (ILO, 2023). The physical demands of this task also result in long-term health consequences, such as chronic back pain, joint problems, and fatigue (WHO, 2023).

Climate change is compounding the crisis. Increasing drought frequency and erratic rainfall patterns are drying up traditional water sources, forcing women to travel even greater distances. This not only heightens the physical and emotional toll but also increases their exposure to extreme heat, poor road conditions, and threats to personal safety (NDMA, 2023). Without urgent investment in rural water infrastructure and inclusive governance that empowers women, Pakistan’s water insecurity will continue to undermine both development and gender equity.

Women’s Role and Struggles in Water Governance

In rural Pakistan, women function as the de facto water managers in their households and communities, overseeing up to 90% of water-related tasks. Their responsibilities span the full spectrum of domestic and productive needs, including drinking, cooking, sanitation, small-scale irrigation for kitchen gardens, and providing water for livestock. This work, though largely informal and unpaid, is critical to rural survival and food security. Women also possess deep traditional knowledge of water conservation practices, such as rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge. These indigenous methods play a vital role in sustaining local water cycles, particularly in arid and drought-prone regions. However, their expertise is rarely acknowledged in formal water policies or programs. Only 12% of water management committees in Pakistan include women (UNDP, 2023), reflecting a glaring gender gap in decision-making that renders many policies ineffective and disconnected from on-the-ground realities.

This exclusion from governance is compounded by structural barriers. Fewer than 5% of women hold leadership roles in water user associations (World Bank, 2023), and limited land ownership further restricts their access to water rights. With only 3% of agricultural land owned by women (PBS, 2023), they are often sidelined in negotiations over water allocation. The consequences are far-reaching: contaminated water sources contribute to over 60% of rural diseases, disproportionately affecting women and children (WHO, 2023). In addition, women face safety risks while collecting water, including harassment and encounters with dangerous wildlife (HRCP, 2023).

Climate change is intensifying these challenges. Pakistan has lost 35% of its freshwater resources over the past two decades (PCRWR, 2023), and increasingly erratic monsoons and prolonged droughts have forced many rural families to rely on expensive water tankers. Women, already stretched thin, are bearing the brunt, both physically and economically, as household debts rise to cover these basic needs.

Women-Led Innovations in Water Management

Amid the challenges of water scarcity and gender inequality, women across rural Pakistan are pioneering local solutions that are transforming water access and governance. These grassroots initiatives are not only addressing critical needs but also reshaping traditional power dynamics within communities.

In Sindh and Punjab, the establishment of women-led village water committees has significantly improved the fairness and transparency of water distribution. These committees ensure that all households, regardless of social status, receive adequate water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation. Their leadership has led to more inclusive decision-making, timely conflict resolution, and greater community trust in water governance systems (WaterAid, 2023).

In the arid regions of Balochistan, women have taken the lead in managing solar-powered wells, drastically reducing the burden of water collection. By cutting collection time by 70%, these wells have freed up several hours daily for women and girls, allowing them to pursue education, income-generating work, and rest (UNDP, 2023). The solar technology also provides an environmentally sustainable alternative to diesel pumps, making these systems both cost-effective and climate resilient.

In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, technical training programs for women in hand pump maintenance have had far-reaching impacts. Over 5,000 households now enjoy improved access to safe water thanks to the efforts of women trained to install, repair, and maintain these essential systems (UNICEF, 2023). These women are not only improving public health and hygiene but also gaining technical skills, confidence, and community respect.

These success stories demonstrate the transformative potential of involving women in water management. When women are given the tools, training, and authority to lead, they deliver practical, sustainable solutions that benefit entire communities. Scaling such initiatives can help address Pakistan’s water crisis while promoting gender equity and rural resilience.

Advancing Gender-Inclusive Water Governance in Rural Pakistan

To address the water crisis in rural Pakistan effectively and equitably, a gender-inclusive approach to water management is essential. Women are central to water collection, use, and conservation, yet their exclusion from formal governance structures limits the effectiveness and sustainability of water solutions. A comprehensive policy framework must therefore integrate gender equity into legal, infrastructural, and educational dimensions.

Legal and institutional reforms are foundational. Mandating a minimum of 30% female representation in water governance bodies, such as water user associations and village water committees, can ensure that women’s voices and needs are reflected in policy decisions (UN Women, 2023). Strengthening inheritance laws is also crucial; without secure land tenure, women lack legal access to water resources, especially for agricultural purposes. Reforming land and water rights together can empower rural women and enhance their decision-making power (HRCP, 2023).

On the infrastructure front, investments must be gender sensitive. Building water sources closer to homes and deploying motorized pumps can significantly reduce the physical burden on women and girls. Moreover, integrating digital technologies, such as GIS mapping and IoT sensors, can help monitor water usage efficiently, reducing reliance on manual labor and increasing resource transparency (World Bank, 2023).

Education and awareness campaigns also play a vital role in transforming water governance. Training women in water conservation methods like drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting equips them with skills to manage resources sustainably. Incorporating water management into girls’ education curricula can cultivate a new generation of leaders equipped to tackle future challenges (UNESCO, 2023).

Together, these reforms can transform women from invisible laborers into recognized agents of change. A gender-responsive water governance model is not only a matter of equity, it is a prerequisite for sustainable development and climate resilience in rural Pakistan.

Conclusion

The water crisis in rural Pakistan is both a development and gender equity challenge. Women, as the primary stewards of household water, bear the heaviest burdens, spending hours daily collecting water, risking their health and safety, and sacrificing education and economic opportunities. Despite their central role, they are largely excluded from formal decision-making processes in water governance. This exclusion limits the effectiveness of water policies and exacerbates gender inequalities. However, the success stories emerging from Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa show that when women are empowered to lead, water access, equity, and sustainability all improve.

Women-led initiatives have demonstrated innovative, climate-resilient solutions that benefit entire communities. These efforts highlight the urgent need for systemic change. Gender-inclusive reforms, such as ensuring women's representation in water governance, securing land and water rights, investing in gender-sensitive infrastructure, and providing education and technical training, can unlock women’s potential as agents of change. Without integrating women’s voices, knowledge, and leadership into water management, Pakistan risks undermining its development goals and climate resilience. Conversely, by investing in women, the country can build a more equitable, sustainable future where safe water is accessible to all. Empowering women in water governance is not just a policy recommendation; it is a national imperative.

References: FAO; IMF; NDMA; UN Women; World Bank; ILO; UNISEF; WHO; UNDP; PBS; HRCP; PCRWR; WaterAid; UNESCO

Please note that the views expressed in this article are of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of any organization.

The writer is affiliated Land and Water Management, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam Sindh, Pakistan and can be reached at komalrajpar23@gmail.com

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