The impacts of rural water supply on women livelihoods in Ng’hambi and Chunyu villages in Mpwapwa district

This study aimed at assessing the impacts of rural water supply on women’s livelihoods in Ng’hambi and Chunyu villages. A proportion of (5%) of households were selected to be included in the household interviews. Structured and semi-structured questionnaires were used to collect information from household respondents. There were also key informant’s interviews and consultations with focus group discussions. The findings suggested that, the villages had inadequate water supply and depended on seasonal river for domestic water. Inadequate quantity and poor quality water contributed to waterborne diseases. The main diseases reported in the village dispensaries were trachoma (33.9%), scabies (18.86%) and diarrhea (47.16%) in Ng’hambi village; and in Chunyu village were trachoma (20%), scabies (39%) and diarrhea (41%). Water scarcity also contributed to poor school attendance. The months of February and July in 2010 which had different severity of water scarcity were selected to compare the pupils’ attendance in primary schools. It was found that, in Ng’hambi primary school absenteeism was (5.4%) in February and (7.4%) in July; while in Chunyu primary school absenteeism was (6.3%) in February and (14.5%) in July. The findings suggest that, water supply in the study villages was poor and exacerbated poverty to women due to being highly engaged in domestic water collection. Women spent many hours for water collection due to water sources being far away from households and this restricted them to engage in income generating activities. Inadequate water also restricted economic activities which required water inputs. Waterborne diseases contributed to limited participation in economic activities. Special attention to reduce salinity from ground water in semi-arid environments should be implemented as it is stated in the National Water Policy in order to boost portable water for semi-arid rural inhabitants. Poverty alleviation among women will be reduced through reduction of workload, to enable them participate in economic activities and education. Women participation in village water committees, involving them in decision making and planning for improvement of water supply in the villages is very important for their wellbeing and thus improving women’s livelihoods.