Women at the Frontlines: Navigating Water Insecurity and Climate Change in Urban Ghana

This study explores water access challenges in Nii Boi Town, Accra, Ghana, focusing on how climate change disproportionately affects women, who are often the primary managers of household water. As unpredictable rainfall and extreme weather intensify, women face increasing difficulties securing water, revealing the complex interplay between environmental pressures and inadequate infrastructure. Using a qualitative approach, this research captures the lived experiences of women through in-depth interviews with household heads, single mothers, and elderly women. Focus group discussions and participant observation further illuminate the collective strategies and physical and emotional labor involved in water collection. Additionally, interviews with local policymakers and community leaders critically examine the disconnect between official water governance policies and the realities on the ground. The findings highlight that women are central to maintaining water security in their communities, often at significant personal cost. Their reliance on informal water vendors, sachet water, and communal wells underscores the gaps in formal infrastructure and the need for governance approaches sensitive to these diverse strategies. Climate change exacerbates existing socioeconomic inequities, making it even more challenging for women to access affordable and reliable water.

The study advocates for policy frameworks that not only recognize but also empower women’s roles in water governance, which is vital for building urban resilience to climate change. The broader implications of this research extend to Africa as a whole, emphasizing the need for gender-sensitive strategies in climate adaptation and water governance at both local and regional levels. In conclusion, this study calls for a reimagining of water governance in African urban centers like Accra, where women’s experiences and adaptive strategies are key to addressing the challenges of climate change. By centering women’s voices, policymakers can develop more equitable and sustainable solutions to the pressing issue of water security in a changing climate.