Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire
Abstract In rural Ivorian communities, women are considered as the guardians of water, undertaking an essential role deeply rooted in local cultural values, ensuring the preservation and management of this vital resource. However, the scarcity of potable water places them under significant pressure,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Discover Water |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-023-00043-z |
| _version_ | 1797451570783191040 |
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| author | Jonathan Aser Engelvin Seri |
| author_facet | Jonathan Aser Engelvin Seri |
| author_sort | Jonathan Aser Engelvin Seri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract In rural Ivorian communities, women are considered as the guardians of water, undertaking an essential role deeply rooted in local cultural values, ensuring the preservation and management of this vital resource. However, the scarcity of potable water places them under significant pressure, exposing them to heightened risks. Within this context, this study conducted in the Sub-Prefecture of Gboguhé explores the critical link between the cultural values of Bete women and the issue of access to potable water in the region, with a specific focus on the impacts they experience. To achieve this, the study adopts a primarily qualitative approach based on documentary research, direct observations, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. The findings reveal that the scarcity of potable water disproportionately affects women in these communities, leading to significant socio-economic consequences. Water points often become scenes of verbal and physical aggression among women, given the difficulties in accessing water in the area, thereby limiting their daily activities and economic participation. Furthermore, they face heightened health risks due to water supply hardships and the consumption of non-potable water from unimproved sources. Additionally, this study offers novel perspectives for transformative actions aimed at addressing the scarcity of potable water, promoting women's social and cultural values, and preserving the essential cultural ties within the Bete communities of Gboguhé and beyond. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:56:32Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d3ca73bcd8404f04bfbad684441064f9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2730-647X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T14:56:32Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-d3ca73bcd8404f04bfbad684441064f92023-11-26T14:11:31ZengSpringerDiscover Water2730-647X2023-10-013111910.1007/s43832-023-00043-zWomen: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'IvoireJonathan Aser Engelvin Seri0Institute of Anthropological Sciences for Development (ISAD), Felix Houphouët Boigny UniversityAbstract In rural Ivorian communities, women are considered as the guardians of water, undertaking an essential role deeply rooted in local cultural values, ensuring the preservation and management of this vital resource. However, the scarcity of potable water places them under significant pressure, exposing them to heightened risks. Within this context, this study conducted in the Sub-Prefecture of Gboguhé explores the critical link between the cultural values of Bete women and the issue of access to potable water in the region, with a specific focus on the impacts they experience. To achieve this, the study adopts a primarily qualitative approach based on documentary research, direct observations, in-depth semi-structured interviews, and focus groups. The findings reveal that the scarcity of potable water disproportionately affects women in these communities, leading to significant socio-economic consequences. Water points often become scenes of verbal and physical aggression among women, given the difficulties in accessing water in the area, thereby limiting their daily activities and economic participation. Furthermore, they face heightened health risks due to water supply hardships and the consumption of non-potable water from unimproved sources. Additionally, this study offers novel perspectives for transformative actions aimed at addressing the scarcity of potable water, promoting women's social and cultural values, and preserving the essential cultural ties within the Bete communities of Gboguhé and beyond.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-023-00043-zWomenCultural valuesDrinking water scarcityImpactsGboguhé |
| spellingShingle | Jonathan Aser Engelvin Seri Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire Discover Water Women Cultural values Drinking water scarcity Impacts Gboguhé |
| title | Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire |
| title_full | Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire |
| title_fullStr | Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire |
| title_full_unstemmed | Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire |
| title_short | Women: guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in Gboguhé Sub-Prefecture, Central-West Côte d'Ivoire |
| title_sort | women guardians of water and cultural link amid drinking water scarcity in gboguhe sub prefecture central west cote d ivoire |
| topic | Women Cultural values Drinking water scarcity Impacts Gboguhé |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43832-023-00043-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jonathanaserengelvinseri womenguardiansofwaterandculturallinkamiddrinkingwaterscarcityingboguhesubprefecturecentralwestcotedivoire |