Lack of water and sanitation hurts women and girls the most
Published on by Melissa K. in Social
Access to safedrinkingwater,sanitationand hygieneis thekey element of the life. Anyone who travels tocountries without running wateror goes on a backcountry camping trip becomes painfully aware of water's importance.
It is the reason plumbers are so valued in wealthy countries. After all,who wants to live without a functioningtoilet? Yet for 2.5 billion people, a toiletof any kindis but a dream. And for 768 million people, safe drinking water is out of reach.
Most of thesepeople are women and girls.
Lifewithout these services isalifeofpoor health, nutrition, educationand employment.It is a life of walking long distances to collect water, which takes an estimated 26% of women's time in rural Africa, 40 billion hours total each year;a life of missing school, work, and playtime because, in many cultures, bringing water home is theonlypriority for women and girls.
Read more : http://www.trust.org/item/20131004120551-omt32/?source=hppartner