Social Implications of Water Scarcity in Local Community of District Rawalpindi
Abstract
Water scarcity is the lack of fresh water resources to meet the standard water demand. For human needs the amount of fresh water on earth is very low. The quality and quantity of water are important for human survival. Water is one of the most valuable natural resource on earth. The present study has been made to explore social implications of water scarcity on local community of tehsil Murree district Rawalpindi. Sample size of 100 respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through interview guide, case study method and Focus Group Discussions. The study showed that poor and marginalized groups are on the frontline of water scarcity crisis, impacting their ability to maintain good health, protect their families and earn a living. For many women and girls, water scarcity means more laborious, time-consuming water collection, putting them at increased risk of attack and often precluding them from education or work. It was found that women had to cover long distances on foot carrying heavy pitchers on their heads to fetch water from locally available water resources in the region. Due to this heavy pitchers’ pregnant women face many difficulties and, in some cases, even had to lose their babies. It was also found that water fetching activity provided a platform for women to share all types of informal, formal and personal gossips. It was also observed that the lack of access to water can create social disparities in communities and it also affect the education of children because children must fetch water instead of going to school.
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