60% population have access to safe water: WaterAid Bangladesh
Additionally, approximately 26 million people are exposed to very high salinity in shallow groundwater, posing a risk of increased infant mortality due to the consumption of excess saltwater by mothers during pregnancy
Nearly 60% of people in Bangladesh have access to safe water, with only 15% receiving piped water supply, according to WaterAid Bangladesh.
Additionally, approximately 26 million people are exposed to very high salinity in shallow groundwater, posing a risk of increased infant mortality due to the consumption of excess saltwater by mothers during pregnancy.
"Women are globally called 'water managers' due to their greater involvement from water collection to usage and supply. Thus, women cannot participate in income-generating and agricultural activities while devoting extra time to collect water. As a result, they are lagging financially," said Hasin Jahan, country director of WaterAid Bangladesh, at a discussion, marking the World Water Day.
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The Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) organised the event with the theme "Access to safe water in climate vulnerable areas: A gender perspective" under its Community Based Resilience, Women's Empowerment and Action (CREA) Project.
Chairman of the Dhaka WASA Sujit Kumar Bala said it is time to look at the water issues of the coastal areas.
"There is a lack of availability of freshwater in the coastal areas. Water scarcity is aggravated during floods and cyclones. Efforts are being made to deal with this crisis using nature-based solutions, however, it is not enough," he said.
"Although WASA is Dhaka-centric, I think now is the time to look at the water-related problems of our coastal areas," he added.
Shaheen Anam, MJF executive director, who moderated the event, called for a collective action saying, "Women are subjected to sexual harassment in various ways while providing water for their families."
She said access to safe drinking water is a human right. Clean water is a human right, but the plight of women is often overlooked
"We want a collaborative approach to solve the crisis. The government alone cannot create solutions to this. So, the private sectors and NGOs like us have to find a way to work together with the government," she noted.
