Access to clean water in Nigeria shouldn’t be a luxury, yet for millions, it is. In a country with a growing population and vast natural resources, it’s hard to believe that so many people still struggle to get something as basic as clean water. But this isn’t just about staying hydrated. Clean water is about survival, dignity, and equality, and it’s high time we all recognize that.
In Nigeria, millions of women and girls spend hours each day walking long distances to fetch water. This isn’t just physically draining. It’s dangerous. Women face risks of violence, while girls miss out on education because their time is consumed by this daily chore. This means that while clean water is a necessity for health, it also directly impacts gender equality and the chances for women and girls to pursue their dreams.
Why does this continue to happen?
It’s a failure of our systems. Water should never be a luxury, yet it remains out of reach for too many. This scarcity doesn’t just affect health. It keeps people trapped in poverty. It prevents communities from growing, and it burdens women and girls in ways that hold back society as a whole.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
We need to change how we see water access in Nigeria. Water scarcity shouldn’t be an accepted reality. We must demand clean water for all. It’s a right, not a privilege. From solar-powered water pumps to community-led water management, there are solutions available that can make a real difference. What’s missing is the will to ensure that every Nigerian has access to clean, safe water.
The facts are clear. According to UNICEF, over 60 million Nigerians still don’t have access to clean water. And women and girls are hit hardest. It’s time to change that.
No one in Nigeria should have to choose between water and survival. No girl should miss school because she’s walking for hours to fetch water. It’s time to ensure that clean water is a right for everyone.
Centre for Family Health Initiative (CFHI) is taking action! Over the years, we have worked with partners to improve clean water access. One such initiative was the installation of a borehole in Kagini, Abuja
Together, we can make this happen.
Speak Wednesday is an initiative of CFHI to address issues around gender-based violence and gender bias.
#SpeakWednesday #CleanWaterForAll #WaterIsLife #GenderEquality #ProtectWomenAndGirls #AccessToWater #WaterIsARight #EndWaterScarcity #Nigeria #EveryGirlDeservesWater
