A conceptual framework for gender and climate mainstreaming to mitigate water inaccessibility in rural sub‐Saharan Africa. (29th April 2022) - Apatinga, Gervin A.
Abstract: Evidence underscores that water inaccessibility in rural sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA) disproportionately affects women due to patriarchal gender norms and practices. In the context of Sustainable Development Goals 5 (Gender Equality) and 6 (Water and Sanitation), globally driven efforts and initiatives are set against a backdrop of empowering women, improving rural water accessibility, and reducing water‐related risks. Furthermore, climate change is altering spatiotemporal patterns of water availability and quality. A thematic analysis of the literature was conducted through Scopus and Web of Science to identify drivers and consequences of as well as coping strategies for water (in)accessibility in rural SSA. A conceptual framework was developed to better understand and assess research gaps and points of intervention for gender and climate mainstreaming in mitigation strategies that reduce the impacts of water inaccessibility in rural SSA. Findings show that complex intersecting factors underlie water inaccessibility—and responses—among rural women in SSA. The complex socio‐ecological interlinkages among climate change, water, and gender are discussed and a case is made for more integrative research (including dimensions of vulnerability, impacts, and effective grassroots strategies and co‐benefits) to inform policy, planning, and practice. This article is categorized under: Engineering Water > Water, Health, and Sanitation Science of Water > Water and Environmental Change Human Water > Rights to Water Abstract : Complex socio‐ecological interlinkages exist among drivers of water (in)accessibility, resulting consequences, and coping strategies adopted that require further attention in research, policy, and practice. [Image attributions: nature‐2671900.jpg – source: pixabay, https://pixabay.com/photos/nature-emotions-sun-desert-clouds-2671900/ (no attribution required); iStock‐flooded grass hut.jpg: Credit:Gerrit Rautenbach source: iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/huts-submerged-in-the-barotse-floods-of-the-zambezi-in-zambia-gm1276602788-376062795 Stock photo ID: Stock photo ID:1276602788 istockphoto.com ; Human lefts icon.png: Source: iconspng.com, https://www.iconspng.com/images/human-lefts/human-lefts.jpg (no attribution required); rainbow‐6305262.jpg—source: pixabay, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/rainbow-flag-pride-lgbt-equity-6305262/ (no attribution required); poverty‐4561704.jpg—source: pixabay, https://pixabay.com/photos/poverty-black-and-white-emotion-hdr-4561704/ (no attribution required); iStock‐refugees.jpg: Credit: AndreyPopov source: iStock, https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/refugees-people-with-luggage-walking-in-a-row-gm921353784-253049275 Stock photo ID:921353784 istockphoto.com ; Caduceus‐2730780.svg: Source: kisscc0, https://www.kisscc0.com/clipart/nursing-health-care-hospital-patient-medical-icons-zfcg0o/ (no attribution required); peace‐1897524.png—source: pixabay, https://pixabay.com/illustrations/peace-message-violence-signal-red-1897524/ (no attribution required); all other photos (5) Schuster‐Wallace (author) permission required to reproduce]