ISSN: 2578-4994
Authors: Oyilieze AA*, Joe-Ikechebelu N, Iloduba N, Okolo DN4 and Mmachukwu K
Adoption of traditional gendered roles in managing streams in most Nigerian communities, have raised concerns over its sustainability. Using the concepts of gender analysis and sustainable water management (SWM), we examined the traditional roles played by men and women in managing Ezekoro stream in Achina, Anambra State, Nigeria. Qualitative, laboratory and secondary data analysis were used in the study. We adopted purposive sampling to recruit a total of 24 community members between18 to 60 years and above:12 women and men for FGD (6 each group), 2 key informants were interviewed (oral histories)-the oldest man and woman leader in the community and 10 participants randomly selected for in-depth interviews. Also, photographs and physiochemical and biological analysis of water samples from Ezekoro stream were used. Findings unveil that traditional sanctions were used to separate. Ezekoro stream into male and female sections. Females carried out domestic activities in their section while the male section was preserved for drinking. Again, sanctions restricting human actions such as farming, sand mining, wood logging, open defecation, around the stream area were not effective. Elderly and unmarried women found it difficult to access drinking water from the male section of the stream. Further, water samples from the female section indicated that phosphorus, fluoride, copper and total coliform, bacteria count and fecal coliform were above the permissible NESREA standard while sample from the male section had traces of total coliform, signifying the presence of disease-causing organisms. Obviously, the practiced gender separation was ineffective, since there were traces of pollutants in drinking water sourced from the male section. For optimal results, we recommend inclusiveness and gender equality, maximize youth efforts and intensify awareness on water quality protection. Also, developing adaptive capacity for floods, integrating regular water quality assessments to checkmate possible health risks.
Keywords: Tradition; Gender Equality; SWM; Health Risks; Water Quality; Ezekoro Stream
