Justice at the Crossroads:

Addressing Water Scarcity and Transactional Sex in Ghana’s Remote Villages – A Call for Action Against Period Poverty

by Swani R. Keelson

Abstract: This piece investigates the severe implications of water scarcity in the secluded villages of Ghana, focusing on its profound impact on the local populace, especially young females. The study reveals how inadequate access to potable water not only triggers a range of societal difficulties but also coerces girls into engaging in transactional sex as a coping mechanism, thereby perpetuating the vicious cycle of menstrual inequity. The dearth of water resources necessitates lengthy and laborious treks to secure water, drastically affecting the girls’ educational pursuits and exposing them to numerous health hazards. This paper scrutinizes the complex dynamics between these issues and advocates for urgent, multifaceted interventions to protect the fundamental rights and welfare of these young girls, who stand at a pivotal juncture between their formative years and the stark realities imposed by water scarcity. The discourse calls for immediate and comprehensive interventions, underscoring the need for sustainable water solutions, menstrual hygiene education, and the elimination of gender-based disparities.

Keywords: Water Scarcity, Transactional Sex, Period Poverty, Remote Villages, Ghana, Menstrual Hygiene Management, Gender Inequality.

Detrimental Effects of Water Collection: The onerous chore of water retrieval in Ghana’s secluded settlements places a considerable strain on the inhabitants, particularly the young girls. The prolonged and strenuous excursions to secure water, which often consume several hours, infringe upon the time that could be devoted to scholastic activities. Research indicates that halving the duration dedicated to water collection could bolster girls’ attendance in schools by an estimated 2.4 percentage points, especially in rural locales. This reveals a stark inverse relationship between the investment of time in water collection and the attainment of education.

Consumption of Contaminated Water: The ingestion of impure water constitutes a widespread public health menace in Ghana, accounting for a significant share of illnesses. An estimated 76% of households face the risk of consuming water contaminated with fecal contaminants, precipitating waterborne maladies such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. The health hazards linked with the consumption of such water are substantial, potentially leading to considerable illness and death, particularly in susceptible groups like young girls.

Loss of Education for Young Girls: The convergence of water paucity and gender inequity intensifies the educational deprivation of young girls. The onus of water collection disproportionately befalls them, curtailing their educational access and constricting their prospects for personal and economic advancement. The diversion of time from education to water collection not only impedes their academic trajectory but also perpetuates the cycles of impoverishment and gender inequality within these communities.

Introduction: The fundamental human entitlement to clean drinking water is a distant reality for many communities in Ghana, leading to a series of health and hygiene crises and widening the chasm of socioeconomic inequalities. The brunt of this scarcity falls heavily on women and girls, intertwining with the lack of access to and the high costs of menstrual products, thereby plunging them into the depths of period poverty. This scarcity triggers a distressing survival strategy of transactional sex, where women and girls are compelled to exchange sexual favors for essential resources like water and sanitary products.

In the parched landscapes of Ghana’s remote villages, the quest for water is not just a daily chore but a perilous journey fraught with risks. Women and girls, bound by the shackles of patriarchal norms, undertake this task, often at the expense of their education and safety. The hours spent in pursuit of water are hours lost from learning, personal development, and economic empowerment. The water they fetch, often contaminated, poses serious health threats, exacerbating the already dire conditions of living.

The intersection of water scarcity with gender inequality creates a vicious cycle where the lack of education due to time spent on water collection further entrenches poverty and limits opportunities for women, perpetuating their marginalization. The implications of this are profound, as education is a critical pathway to empowerment and societal change. The absence of safe, accessible water sources not only undermines the physical health of these communities but also their potential for socio-economic advancement.

Introduction: The importance of potable water in Ghana’s hinterlands is a fundamental human right unfulfilled, precipitating a domino effect of health and hygiene crises that exacerbate existing socioeconomic divides. Women and girls bear the disproportionate brunt of this scarcity, a plight that intersects with the prohibitive costs and inaccessibility of menstrual products, culminating in a state of period poverty. This scarcity catalyzes a distressing survival mechanism: transactional sex, where women and girls are coerced into exchanging sexual acts for essential commodities like water and sanitary products.

The Crisis of Water Poverty: Water poverty in Ghana’s remote villages is a deeply entrenched reality, a chronic impediment that disrupts the fabric of daily life. The absence of reliable water sources necessitates prolonged and arduous journeys for water collection, a burden that falls disproportionately upon women and girls. This relentless pursuit of water leads to significant educational interruptions, as young girls are often pulled from school to assist in water retrieval, thereby hindering their academic and future economic prospects. The health risks are equally alarming, as reliance on suboptimal hygiene facilities due to water scarcity can lead to increased exposure to waterborne diseases, which remain prevalent health concerns in Ghana.

Transactional Sex and Its Implications: Transactional sex, a distressing byproduct of water poverty, reflects the extreme measures to which women and girls are driven by desperation. In the absence of viable alternatives, they are coerced into exchanging sex for essential resources like water and sanitary products. This practice not only highlights their precarious situation but also exposes them to severe health risks, including sexually transmitted infections and the life-altering consequences of unintended pregnancies. The societal implications are profound, as this practice can entrench gender-based inequalities and undermine community cohesion.

Period Poverty: The Shadow Pandemic: Period poverty is an insidious crisis that gains intensity in the shadow of water scarcity. The lack of access to clean water and affordable menstrual products forces women to resort to unsanitary menstrual practices, which can lead to infections and long-term health complications. The societal stigma surrounding menstruation exacerbates the issue, silencing open discourse and obstructing the implementation of effective solutions. This stigma, coupled with the high cost of menstrual products due to taxation, not only impacts the health of women and girls but also contributes to absenteeism from school and work, further reinforcing the cycle of poverty and gender inequality.

At the 2023 United Nations Water Conference, I had the opportunity to illuminate the situation in some of Ghana’s isolated villages, where young girls are compelled into transactional sex due to the acute shortage of water. This survival tactic not only strips them of their dignity but also places them at risk of serious health issues, such as sexually transmitted diseases and unexpected pregnancies, with potential enduring effects. The ramifications for their futures are profound, as such exploitation often results in educational interruptions, constraining their potential for personal growth and economic independence, and reinforcing the cycles of poverty and gender disparity.

The burgeoning crisis of period poverty is swiftly escalating into a global emergency. The struggle to afford or obtain menstrual products, proper sanitation, and menstrual health education constitutes a breach of fundamental human rights, impacting countless women and girls globally. Beyond the physical health ramifications, which include infections and reproductive health problems, the crisis carries significant social and psychological burdens. It leads to absenteeism from schools and workplaces, perpetuates societal stigmas, and can cause increased feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.

A concerted global effort is essential to acknowledge period poverty as a critical public health concern that intersects with educational, gender equality, and economic issues. It is crucial to enact sustainable measures, such as ensuring access to clean water, making menstrual products more affordable, and providing thorough menstrual hygiene education. These steps are vital to empower these young women and safeguard their futures. The personal stories shared at the conference served as a compelling plea, calling upon the global community to take swift action to tackle these interconnected challenges and prevent the shadow pandemic from turning into an extensive calamity.

Recommendations:

Given the economic constraints faced by many girls in Ghana’s remote villages, the following realistic and targeted recommendations are proposed to address the immediate needs for menstrual products and to combat sexual exploitation:

1. Provision of Menstrual Products:
   • Partner with organizations like UN Women¹ and Girls Helping Girls. Period.² to supply free menstrual products to girls in need.
   • Establish local initiatives to produce and distribute reusable sanitary pads, leveraging models from organizations like Days for Girls³.
2. Education and Awareness:
   • Conduct community workshops on menstrual health, utilizing educational resources from organizations like Dignity Grows⁴.
   • Integrate menstrual health education into the school curriculum to ensure girls are prepared and informed.
3. Addressing Sexual Exploitation:
   • Collaborate with UNICEF and other agencies that have strategies and frameworks in place to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse⁵⁶.
   • Support initiatives like those highlighted by Together for Girls, which focus on preventing sexual violence through education and empowerment programs⁷.
4. Community Support Systems:
   • Create safe spaces within communities where girls can receive support and report exploitation without fear of stigma or retribution.
   • Train community leaders and educators to recognize signs of exploitation and to provide appropriate support and referrals.

This article was written by Swani R. Keelson, MS/MIPP-Doctoral Candidate, as part of an academic endeavor to shed light on the pressing issues of water scarcity, transactional sex, and period poverty in Ghana’s remote villages. The insights and recommendations presented herein are a call to action for both local and global communities to address these critical challenges.

Author: Swani R. Keelson, MS/MIPP-Doctoral CandidateAffiliation: Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)Correspondence: sdubuis1@jh.edu

The author extends gratitude to all individuals and organizations that continue to work tirelessly towards alleviating the hardships faced by those in vulnerable conditions and remains hopeful that this discourse will contribute to meaningful change.