Exploring women’s coping strategies to combat suboptimal water access in rural Ghana

Scholarly accounts on the importance and types of adaptive practices for suboptimal water access in Ghana's rural areas, where water inaccessibility persists, are lacking. Conducted in the Kologo rural community in Northern Ghana, known for its severe water insecurity, this study aimed to understand how women manage and adapt to poor water access. An equal number of women (n = 150) and men (n = 150), aged 18 or older, were randomly recruited to participate in a survey. Additionally, eighteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were purposefully conducted with both women and men across different age groups (young: ≤ 30, adult: 31-50, and older: ≥ 51) to provide context and deeper insight into the coping strategies identified through the survey. Surveys and focus group discussions were analyzed statistically and thematically. Findings reveal that these women employ exit (alternative water sources), loyalty (storage, treatment), and voice (community-driven actions) strategies to address water challenges simultaneously or interchangeably. However, specific coping mechanisms can be ineffective and even detrimental long-term. The study underscores that women’s coping strategies alone cannot comprehensively tackle the systemic issues causing access challenges. Collaborative efforts, policy interventions, and gender-sensitive approaches are required to improve equitable water access and alleviate the persistent challenges faced by these women and communities.