In Rural Malawi, Water Scarcity Strips Women of Dignity and Opportunity
The water scarcity crisis in Ntchisi sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by rural communities in Malawi, with a significant number of households lacking access to clean water.
Ntchisi, Malawi – In the rural district of Ntchisi, Malawi, access to clean and safe water remains a persistent challenge, particularly affecting the lives of women and girls, writes Meclina Chirwa.
For many, the lack of this basic necessity has dire consequences, impacting their health, education, and dignity.
Alena, a 14-year-old girl living in Chikho Village, hasn't been able to bathe during her period for three months due to water scarcity.
“I feel like a dirty, unworthy person,” she shared, her eyes lowered.
“My friends avoid me, and I’m too ashamed to attend school.”
The shame and discomfort she experiences have led to her missing school, hindering her educational aspirations of becoming a doctor.
“How I can I dream of becoming a doctor when I am struggling to stay in school due to something as basic as water?” she questioned.
Alena's story is not unique. Many women and girls in Ntchisi face the same struggle.
The long distances they must travel to fetch water force them to prioritize its use for essential needs such as cooking and drinking, leaving little for personal hygiene.
Naomi, a 26-year-old mother of two, revealed the lengths they have to go to during menstruation: “We can’t afford to waste water on bathing... I use leaves and old clothes during my period. It is uncomfortable and unhygienic.”
The situation has caught the attention of Zakaria John, chairperson of the water association in Chikho Village.
He expressed his concern, stating, “As a community, we are really struggling with water scarcity. Our women and girls are the most affected... It’s heartbreaking to see them suffer like this.”
Community members have accused the local Member of Parliament, Bernard Chitekwe, of failing to deliver on his promises to provide safe and clean water.
Chitekwe acknowledged the challenges, citing the difficult terrain and unsuccessful attempts to drill boreholes.
He said, “In the first place you might wish to know that the terrain is very bad. For someone to drill a borehole is costly... During the campaign period, I even visited the place to appreciate the problem, I immediately assigned a contractor to drill a borehole but they failed to find water.”
However, he offered a glimmer of hope, mentioning that WaterAid, an international non-governmental organization focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene, has expressed willingness to assist.
“Currently we have heard that Wateraid is willing to help, that is a recommendable initiative,” he added.
The Ministry of Water and Sanitation is also aware of the dire situation in Chikho Village.
James Mwenda, the public relations officer for the ministry, acknowledged the lack of safe water supply services in the village, highlighting the risks to residents' health.
“It is indeed true that the people of Chikho Village, T/A Kasakula, in Ntchisi district, have not had access to safe water supply services for a very long time, which has placed the lives of the residents at risk of contracting water-borne diseases such as cholera,” he said.
Mwenda explained that limited resources have hindered progress but assured that a borehole will be constructed soon with support from WaterAid.
"The challenge has been limited resources. However, through constant lobbying by the ministry in coordination with the Ntchisi district council, a borehole will shortly be constructed in the village with support from one of the development partners WaterAid, in the sector. As we speak, geophysical surveys to determine the most appropriate site to drill have already been conducted, and holding things constant, all construction works are expected to be completed by 31st December 2024," he elaborated.
WaterAid Malawi has recognised the urgent need for intervention in Ntchisi and has identified it as a priority area.
Their program officer, Zungu, outlined their plans, stating, “After visiting the village and the source, as WaterAid, we decided to support the community with clean and safe water... We are investing the whole project with 500 million kwacha. We started implementing the project in 2023 and will run up to 2027.”
This initiative aims to bring relief to ten villages, including Chikho.
The devastating impact of water scarcity on the lives of women and girls has been highlighted by Eunice Chimphoyo Banda, a menstrual hygiene advocate.
She stressed the urgency of the situation, saying, “The story that there is a group of women in Ntchisi who are not bating during menstruation is very disturbing because you cannot talk about women and girls without water. Water is life we know that, and for a woman is much needful. My appeal is to all the duty bearers to supply water to this community.”
The water scarcity crisis in Ntchisi sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by rural communities in Malawi, with a significant number of households lacking access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
According to WaterAid, "30% of households, representing 7 million persons, do not have basic drinking water; more than 80% of households drink contaminated water, 17% of rural populations and 7% of urban populations have no handwashing facility on premises and 92% do not practice handwashing with soap and water."
The intervention by WaterAid signifies more than just infrastructure development; it represents a beacon of hope for the girls and women of Chikho Village and other beneficiaries, promising them dignity, health, and a brighter future.