The population of Africa is in bad conditions due to water scarcity, and as it is noted in the articles I have read, African women and children are affected by this problem badly. In poor African villages, it is women’s job to manage the water supply of the family. All water the family needs for washing, bathing, livestock, and gardening is being carried by women on top of their heads through very long distances (Bouwer 394). Pollution of rivers and dams causes multiple diseases; population growth causes increasing scarcity of water. The prices for water in Africa are extremely high, much higher than the prices in the US, and privatization is going to make them even higher as water has become a profitable business for the elite (Archer 398).
Conflicts over natural resources are not new to mankind. Natural resources have caused many wars throughout the centuries. Water has become a weapon or a tool to achieve political and economic influence (Otieno par. 1). The water scarcity on the territory of the African continent is a well-known problem. We have all seen scary pictures of devastated African people, dystrophic children, and poor conditions they have to live in. The articles by Archer, Bouwer, and Alao presented a closer and deeper look at the problem; they have shown the issue from many different aspects.
I have found them very useful and informative, as many people know that the African population is devastated by thirst, but few realize what kind of consequences may follow. The articles have made a striking impression on me, the styles of writing, the descriptions of horrifying conditions of life in poor districts of African counties made me think how much water I have consumed today and how much of it I have wasted with no appreciation. The strategy of emphasizing the inequality between the countries of the world is great to show people from rich counties what we take for granted every day. The strategy of comparison of prices and amounts of water consumed daily is going to make a definite impact, to my mind.
How does water differ from other resources?
Rivers tend to be shared by many countries; this is why water is a resource that is especially hard to divide equally between all the territories the river runs through. Water is essential for our existence; it is more important than most of the other resources. Water in Africa provides food, hygiene; it is connected to religion, to regional identity, and also water brings diseases. All of these aspects potentially can result in territorial conflicts.
Reasons why water conflicts have received attention across Africa?
In recent years the concern over possible water conflicts in Africa has grown. Water scarcity has increased in many countries. The most endangered ones are the counties with developing industries and the ones with the driest climate (Alao 410). Another reason for the possible conflict is the management of water that runs internationally, meaning rivers, and privatization of waterworks.
How can water privatization lead to conflict?
For a long time, water has been a resource that was owned by communities and governments; this was its difference from other resources. When the elite starts to make water their privacy and receive a way to manipulate the prices for water, the conflict is going to emerge. The rates of poverty will grow, and logically, dissatisfaction level among the African population will increase and lead to a conflict outburst.
Works Cited
Alao, Abiodun. “Water and Conflict”. The Water and Culture Reader. Ed. University Of the Incarnate Word. Southlake, Texas: 2011. Print.
Archer, Emily. “The wells are drying up: water and women in Ghana”. The Water and Culture Reader. Ed. University of the Incarnate Word. Southlake, Texas: 2011. Print.
Bouwer, Karen. “Women and Water”. The Water and Culture Reader. Ed. University of the Incarnate Word. Southlake, Texas: 2011. Print.
Otieno, Janet. Understanding Africa’s Water Wars. 2013. Web.