Prioritizing Women's Health in Climate Solutions: Water Scarcity in Gauteng, South Africa

Gauteng, the most populated region, and financial hub of South Africa is facing a water crisis that poses significant challenges to its residents.This situation is expected to be exacerbated by the effects of climate change which will further strain resources.

According to Stats SA, despite being a region where 97% of households should have access to clean water in their dwelling or their neighbourhood, millions of residents have been plagued with water cuts lasting from days in some communities to months which illustrate the dire state of inequality in the country.  This crisis is not merely a water issue; it reflects broader challenges including climate change, infrastructural gaps, and income and gender disparities.  This article highlights the multifaceted impacts of this crisis particularly on women and girls.  

Water Scarcity in Gauteng

As reported by the Department of Water and Sanitation, South Africa is a water-scarce country and is the 30th driest in the world.  The country is particularly vulnerable to climate change because of extreme income inequality leading to unequal access to water and its heavy reliance on surface water, with dams supporting the entire network.  The expected increase in frequency and duration of droughts in Sub-Saharan Africa paints a grim picture for the future of the national water supply. 

South Africa’s average rainfall is only approximately half of the global average.  Due to climate change, rainfall has become more sporadic, causing flash floods in some provinces, while others experience intense droughts that affect agriculture, public health, the economy, and more. 

Rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall are resulting in higher evaporation rates. Over the past year, this has caused the Vaal Dam, the primary water source for Gauteng to reach unprecedented low levels, dropping to just 28.2% in December 2024. This situation has raised concerns about future water availability in the region.

In addition to climate change, the water crisis can be attributed to the lack of investment in water infrastructure, non-payment by customers and lack of maintenance due to the gaps in funding. According to the Department of Water and Sanitation, Gauteng loses as much as 33% of water supplied on average across the municipalities to leakages which is well above the international rate of 15%. The surge in population has exceeded the capacity of the current infrastructure in Gauteng, and demand may soon outweigh supply if water management practices are not improved.

The Gendered Impact of Water Scarcity

Climate change and its impacts on rainfall patterns and increased temperature severely complicate menstrual health, yet women are not central in the efforts to adapt to the climate crisis.  Women and girls are grossly underrepresented in climate action discussions and should be more involved in creating climate solutions that include women centered issues.  Every month, approximately 1.8 billion people globally menstruate and require adequate access to water to observe it safely.

However, this is not prioritized enough in national programmes regarding water management and distribution.  Many households do not have the finances to improve their water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) structure, relying on their municipalities to provide subsidized water but this should be no reason to violate their right to access clean water.  

Women are disproportionally affected by climate change.  The water crisis has compounding effects on women and girls, especially those in low-income households who bear the brunt of the crisis. Water management in households is typically the duty of women, and communities have been forced to rely on alternative sources of water due to persistent shortages. These include water from water trucks, boreholes, or neighbouring communities sometimes kilometres away. This has resulted in limited water supply which is not sufficient for household uses including menstrual hygiene management (MHM), and questionable water quality which has led to water-borne illnesses and infections. 

Effects of Water Scarcity on Menstrual Health

Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the fastest-growing populations of teenage girls in the world with alarming rates of poor MHM practices and limited access to water and sanitary, functional toilet facilities.  Reliable access to clean water is vital for menstrual health.  Against the bleak backdrop of the water crisis in Gauteng, taking into account the gross income inequalities and alarming rates of poverty, this issue is even more pressing.  

Millions of women and girls lack access to running water in households, private toilets, and hand washing facilities all of which are necessary for MHM.  Climate change negatively impacts menstrual health because inadequate water leads to subpar hygiene increasing the risk of infection and dehydration.  Climate events such as heat waves create conditions for bacteria growth which may lead to UTIs and bacterial vaginosis. 

Regular bathing is critical to avoid infections which could cause further health complications but even this simple practice is not possible for all, as households may have to limit bathing to conserve water.  Reusable menstrual products are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative for low-income households, however without access to water they become unsafe to use because they cannot be washed after every use.

A key aspect of menstrual health management is dignity and privacy, many households in South Africa lack access to private toilets and without water, keeping these communal areas sanitary and disposing of blood and menstrual products becomes difficult and causes shame and a loss of dignity.  

Socio-economic Consequences of Water Scarcity and Proposed Solutions

The socio-economic impacts of this crisis are far-reaching. As aforementioned, women are generally tasked with managing household water.  According to UN-water in households with limited water access girls are twice as likely as boys to bear the responsibility of collecting water, taking away time from more productive activities. 

They are more vulnerable to attacks and sexual violence when they have to queue for water or walk long distances to collect water in the early hours of the morning.  Women and girls with poor MHM practices due to a lack of water and or menstrual products may miss school or work which affects their economic participation and livelihoods in the long term and perpetuates period poverty.  

To improve equitable access to water and menstrual health outcomes in the face of ongoing climate change, South Africa should: 

• Commit to continued investment in the maintenance and upgrading of infrastructure and more equal water distribution.  
• Invest in diversification of water sources such as desalination, rainwater harvesting, and groundwater to reduce reliance on surface water during droughts.
• Prioritize gender and WASH in climate funding proposals.  
• Improve access to water and private toilets in schools and public spaces with adequate disposal facilities.  
• Increase education about menstrual health management to reduce the risk of infections. 

Conclusion

The water crisis in Gauteng is not only an environmental concern but a Human Rights issue that impacts the menstrual health and livelihoods of women and girls. Climate change is exacerbating existing inequalities and it is increasingly important to address equal access to water and the gendered aspect of water management. It is imperative that the infrastructural issues are addressed and that women are involved in water management at a municipal and national level to ensure the needs of women are met.  

Written By: Tanaka Samuriwo

Edited by: Zaiba Abid and Muhammad Abdullahi Ibrahim