The role of women in the management of rural water supply and sanitation projects: a case study of Keta District, Ghana.

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1996-07-08
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Abstract
Since the 1991 Kokrobite workshop which was concerned with increasing the currently low effectiveness of investments in the water supply and sanitation sector, there has been a significant shift in the strategies for rural water supply and sanitation (WSS) in Ghana. It has increasingly become community-based with emphasis on women in recognition of their potential role in the management of community water and sanitation projects. The purpose of the study therefore is to examine the level of women’s involvement in the provision and management of rural WSS in Keta District. The study is significant in that the role of women is paramount in the quest of ensuring adequate and sustainable provision of water and sanitation systems. This is indicated by the fact that women are the primary waters carriers, the first to know when a water system is malfunctioning and the most affected by breakdowns of water systems. A random sample of 100 was selected for purposes of this study. The survey revealed that there was low participation of women in the management of rural water supply and sanitation as evidenced by their low involvement in project planning, implementation and maintenance and low representation in management committees. This has resulted in high breakdown rate (73 per cent) of water facilities causing congestion at a few operational water points. The high breakdown rate has also caused the population to resort to unsafe sources of drinking water. The consequence of this is high rate of water related diseases (over 50 per cent). Against this background, the study recommended strategies to effectively integrate women in the management of water supply and sanitation facilities. The major strategies include strengthening women’s capacity to manage water systems, increasing their participation in management meetings and increasing their involvement in identification of water sources and choice of technology.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Development Planning and Management, 1996
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