Advancing Gender-Inclusive Water Management: Insights from Women’s Experiences in Rural Philippines

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aims to ensure universal and sustainable access to safe water and sanitation by 2030. Despite this global mandate, the World Health Organization highlights persistent disparities, noting that billions of people remain without secure access to water, with women disproportionately burdened by scarcity. This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of women engaged in water conservation, framing these within the context of sustainable water management in Maramag, Bukidnon. Guided by Ecofeminism Theory, the research purposefully selected ten full-time mothers, emphasizing their crucial roles in household water stewardship. The inquiry specifically focused on women with primary caregiving responsibilities, excluding others, to highlight the intricate link between maternal duties and water management practices. Data collection involved semi-structured, in-depth interviews, analyzed thematically using Braun and Clarke (2020) systematic framework to identify recurring patterns. Findings indicate participants consistently endure multifaceted challenges, including historical water shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and limited, reliable water access. Despite these persistent obstacles, they implement innovative strategies such as deep well utilization, rainwater harvesting, judicious domestic water use, cross-community sourcing, and collaborative water rationing. These practices are often integrated into broader community initiatives and partnerships with local government units (LGUs). These findings reveal the crucial yet often underrecognized contributions of women in addressing water insecurity, reinforcing the urgent need for inclusive, equitable solutions aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).