Day in and day out, women and girls walk extensive distances
for the basics; in needing to do this they miss out on many opportunities,
especially education.
Water is an essential resource for life, our bodies are 65%
water so it is the fundamental building block of life, and as such it is the
lifeblood of a community. Some 1 billion people do not have reasonable access
to 20 litres per person per day from a source within 1 km of the person’s
dwelling.
Water is vital in food production – it is women that grow
the bulk of food crops in developing countries with water essential to grow
this food.
Women and girls are the ‘water haulers’ of the world,
spending, in Africa alone, an estimated 40 billion hours annually just carrying
water. The weight burden for these women and girls is very significant - 20
litres of water weighs 20kg, plus the container.
As well the source needs to supply safe water. It is
estimated that 88% of disease globally is linked to unsafe water supply and
lack of sanitation. Sick people do not have the energy for learning or to work
so the poverty cycle continues. Many Aid Agencies promote the concept that
access to a safe water supply = a healthy life = a productive community and
thus hope arises.
The United Nations has declared the period 2005 to 2015 as
the ‘Water for Life’ decade. Millenium Goal 7, (target no 10) aims to ‘reduce
by ½ the proportion of people without access to safe drinking water and basic
sanitation’.
So as you are walking
on Sunday 28th or Monday 29th April think of those women
and girls who spend large part of their days carrying water. Perhaps fill 2
containers with 10 litres and see how difficult/exhausting it is to carry 20
litres.
Badges celebrating this day are available for $2-00. The design concept was created by a junior
member at the 2011 junior camp. If you wish to raise funds for ACCW that
would be most appreciated, however not mandatory. As well as Aussie currency,
these funds could also be in the form of foreign currency as we have the
facility for conversion through our Coins for Kindness project.