The effects of climate change on access to water and sanitation on Malolo Island (Fiji): a focus on gender disparities

Abstract

Access to clean and safe water is a fundamental human right that is essential for the full enjoyment of life and all other human rights, as recognised by the United Nations in 2010. Nevertheless, nearly 5.5 billion people do not have access to a safely managed drinking water service and 4.12 billion people do not have access to safely managed sanitation. This problem is further exacerbated by the effects of climate change, which result in water scarcity due to variable rainfall patterns, higher temperatures, increasingly frequent droughts, saltwater intrusion, and floods. The Pacific Small Island Development States are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and its related disasters because of their geographic location and characteristics. Among these, Fiji ranks 14th in the World Risk Index, resulting in a high exposure to climate change threats and subsequent reduced water availability. Furthermore, certain groups of the population are disproportionately affected by these impacts, such as low-income households, rural inhabitants, women, and children. This research studied water availability and access in the Republic of Fiji, particularly in the Island of Malolo (Mamanuca Islands), by analysing how climate change has impacted and is currently affecting water resources in the area. Throughout the research a special focus was placed on the aspect of gender disparities, as this is a cross-cutting topic that is closely linked to water access and climate change. Indeed, women tend to be more affected by water scarcity and the impacts of climate variability due to their domestic roles and societal barriers. In order to perform the research, a first literature review was conducted to provide an overview of the selected country and to assess the status of water resources on the archipelago and more specifically on the island of Malolo. Attention was posed on water statistics regarding drinking, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as water resources management. Subsequently, a brief introduction to basic gender concepts is given to explain how this topic is strictly related to the aspect of climate change, for which a desk review was also conducted. A questionnaire was then developed to conduct interviews in the island of Malolo to villagers residing in Solevu and Yaro to explore their perceptions of water availability and changes in the past years in the island. The questionnaires were asked separately for women and men. The data obtained was then analysed and compared to meteorological databases obtained from the Fiji Meteorological Service. Finally, possible solutions to mitigate the observed effects of climate change in the area are discussed.