Rights of rural women 2016, para. 82

Paragraph
Paragraph text
Rural women and girls are among those most affected by water scarcity; a situation that is aggravated by unequal access to natural resources and the lack of infrastructure and services. Rural women and girls are frequently obliged to walk long distances to fetch water, sometimes exposing them to a heightened risk of sexual violence and attacks. Owing to poor rural infrastructure and services in many regions, rural women often spend four to five hours per day (or more) collecting water from sometimes poor-quality sources, carrying heavy containers and suffering acute physical problems, as well as facing illnesses caused by the use of unsafe water. Various forms of low-cost and effective technology exist that could ease the burden, including well-drilling technology, water extraction systems, wastewater reuse technology, labour-saving irrigation technology, rain-harvesting and household water treatment and purification systems.
Legal status
Non-negotiated soft law
Body
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women
Document type
General Comment / Recommendation
Means of adoption
N.A.
Topic(s)
  • Environment
  • Water & Sanitation
Person(s) affected
  • Girls
  • Women
Year
2016
Paragraph type
Other
Reference
CEDAW General Recommendation No. 34, Rights of rural women (2016), para. 82.
Paragraph number
82