Unsafe drinking water is a global concern, with contaminated water presenting a threat to the development and health of millions of people. Diarrhea disease caused by pathogens in contaminated water is a leading cause of death in low-income countries, with rural communities being particularly vulnerable.
Women, who often play a central role in household water provisioning, can be major players in efforts to improve water safety. However, this requires better access to credit and an improved knowledge base on safe water practices.
This paper examines the experiences of a group of women in a rural community in Kisumu County, western Kenya, who used group support for microfinance to purchase bio-sand filters for improved drinking water.
Through Cohesu the women were able to access microcredit to purchase filters that significantly improved the quality of their drinking water. The study found that women's involvement in household water management increased after the introduction of the filters. Additionally, their use of microfinance for water projects empowered them financially and improved their decision-making power in the household. The study concludes that microfinance can be an effective tool in enhancing women's involvement in household water provisioning, as well as improving access to safe drinking water in low-income communities.
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