Social protection of women and girls through water, Women’s empowerment begins with safe access to water and gender-conscious sanitation. When African women and girls have these basic necessities, they can actively participate in the economy as experts, partners, change leaders, and peacemakers.
Africa has made steady progress toward female empowerment, but the pace remains slow. Inadequate WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) facilities create major barriers, reducing female participation rates in schools and workplaces. This limits women and girls’ readiness for education and employment opportunities.
High poverty levels and deep inequality continue to challenge the continent. In densely populated rural areas, employment opportunities are scarce. While rain-fed agriculture contributes only a small percentage to household survival, it remains the third-most important livelihood source after domestic work and government grants.
Limited access to infrastructure, such as roads, healthcare, and technology, exacerbates these challenges, particularly in rural communities. Women and girls often bear the brunt of these inequalities, as they are disproportionately affected by the lack of resources and opportunities. Additionally, social norms and cultural practices can further hinder progress, enforcing traditional roles that limit women’s agency and decision-making power. Addressing these systemic issues requires a multifaceted approach, including targeted investments in education, development of sustainable employment opportunities, and policy reforms to improve gender equality across all sectors.
MEB has a proven track record of addressing deep-rooted poverty, instability, and social protection through equitable access to clean water. We support municipalities in helping communities face volatile and evolving risks, including rising water insecurity from climate change and informal settlement growth.
