Women's Role in Water Conservation in Malaysia
Women’s Role in Water Conservation in Malaysia
Chan Ngai Weng1 and Vilas Nittivatananon2
1 School of Humanities, Universiti Sains Malaysia 11800 Penang, Malaysia
2 SEA-UEM Project, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, P.O. Box 4, Klong Luang, Pathumthani 12120 Thailand
{email 1 nwchan@usm.my}
{email 2 vilasn@ait.ac.t}
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In recent decades, water problems have escalated in Malaysia due to climate change and socio-political reasons caused by population explosion. Increasingly, water supply lags further and further behind water demand. As the total quantity of available water is finite but demand increasing at geometrical rates, Malaysia is facing water problems which have severe impacts, particularly on women. Interestingly, however, being water managers both at home and in the office, women wield tremendous influence on the ways families use and conserve water. Ineffective top-down water management has necessitated the need for consumers, especially women, to play a more active role in water conservation, notably via water demand management (WDM). The role of women is pivotal in curbing domestic wastage, but ensuring wise use and conservation. Since domestic consumers use roughly more than half of the country’s total water demand, WDM is a vital conservation tool. Women are the managers of the family’s water budget. Because of the fact that women use water for most of the domestic chores in the home, they are considered vitally important in water conservation. Women also make decision on the installation of water saving devices. When women save water in the home, they also educate their children and family members about the importance of water conservation. Finally, women themselves need to cut down on water use via substitution of water-saving methods and other personal adjustments. Women who work can similarly exert their influence in the office by impressing upon colleagues and the employer about the benefits of water conservation. This paper attempts to show that water consumers (particularly women) can manage water via WDM in addressing water shortages. All water users need to be involved in a bottom-up approach in a sustained national WDM initiative whereby women are the key players towards achieving sustainable management of water resources.
Keywords: Women in water, Water Demand Management, Water Saving, Domestic Water Audit
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1 Introduction
Since the 1970s, Malaysia has progressed rapidly in economic development and social transformation. It has been touted either as one of the “Asian Tiger Economies” or “Newly Industrialising Countries (NICs)” after Singapore, which is already a developed country. Others such as Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia are also rapidly developing. Against a background of rapid development, with GDP growth rates averaging between 8-10 % per annum (with the exception of the Asian Financial crisis during 1997-1999), Malaysia have experienced and is still experiencing mounting environmental degradation, and Urban Environmental Management (UEM) problems in their main cities, especially in terms of water. Prioritizing rapid economic development and growth has increased income levels and reduced poverty, but at the same time has inevitably brought about a number of UEM problems, chief of which are frequent occurrence of environmental hazards, deteriorating air quality, water pollution, poor sanitation and inadequate low cost housing. There are many water problems in Malaysia. However, amongst the many water issues affecting the sustainability of water in Malaysia, the main issues are closely linked to unsustainable water supply management (WSM) vis-à-vis excessive water demand management (WDM). Chan (2004) has demonstrated that excessive water demands by all consumers due to low levels of awareness, low water tariffs and apathetic attitudes are the key issues. Hence, in order to ensure the sustainability of water resources now and in the future, Chan (2004) stressed that it is imperative that these key issues be addressed as soon as possible. Chan and Nitivattananon (2006) also stressed that since the real issues dealt with consumers and their attitude and consumption patterns, the role of women is vital in addressing water resources sustainability in Malaysia. Though the country is rich in water resources, it needs to manage water resources more effectively, professionally and transparently, via the public and private sector, and most of all involving women as key movers of the transformation of a water wasting society into a water saving society (http://www.sea-uema.ait.ac.th/ 6 November 2006).
Considering all these problems, none other is as important as water as it cuts across all other environmental issues. In most Southeast Asian countries, including Malaysia, despite the richness of culture and traditional ways, including traditional water management systems, there is a tendency for governments to employ the top-down and technocentric approach, leaning heavily towards privatization in the management of the water sector. While such an approach may be successful in some countries, they may not necessarily be applicable to all countries. Traditional water management systems, based on traditional wisdom, can supplement modern water management systems and can be a useful tool within small communities. The important role played by women in managing water within the family as well as within the community is also highlighted by many (Hajar et al., 2002; http://www.sea-uema.ait.ac.th/GenderReports.htm 7 October 2005)
The obsolete top-down Water Supply Management (WSM) approach has to give way to a more comprehensive strategy employing both WSM and WDM (Chan, 2004). Until now, a large pool of stakeholders, viz. the consumers have not been factored into the equation. Without their support and cooperation, water demand continues to escalate resulting in many states facing water shortages. The public can determine the success or failure of water management as they are domestic water users who consume roughly more than half of the country’s total water demand. Because of this huge volume, any reduction in consumption can save the country a lot of water (Chan, 2004). In terms of public participation, it is imperative that women, as individuals, are allowed to play a more active role as they are the “managers” (albeit unpaid ones) at home. Women are usually the ones who manage the family’s water budget. Because of the fact that women use water for most of the domestic chores in the home, they are considered vitally important in water conservation. When women save water in the home, they also educate their children and family members about the importance of water conservation. Finally, many women are teachers and they can contribute immensely towards the education of our young in the ultimate creation of a water saving society in Malaysia. Finally, even if women fall short of their important role to disseminate the water conservation message, the future of water resources management in the country would still be secured if the majority of women do their part and practise water conservation. This is because women make up about half the population. In terms of educational level, it is noted that females accounted for 67 % of places in pre-university level and 63.4 % of places in tertiary/university level (Government of Malaysia, 2006). Given this scenario, the future certainly bodes well for women as they will be more and more influential in decisions regarding the family, including water conservation.
2 Cross Cutting Role of Gender in Water Management
Since the global women’s movement (Antrobus, 2004), the increasingly prominent role of women is apparent in a wide spectrum of fields. In the area of water, Hajar et al. (2002) illustrates succinctly how women in the older generation have used water wisely. In many parts of the world, notably India and Africa, only a third of the rural population and two-thirds of the urban population have access to piped water. Those who do not are forced to seek water from far away untreated sources and women bear the brunt of this struggle to get water. Women often walk up to 15 kilometers to fetch water everyday. Based on such a scenario, a girl aged 14 years fetching water for the first time and doing it every day, would have walked round the earth (around the Equator) when she reaches the age of 21 years 4 months. Women, of course, need water more than men as they tend to weigh less and have lower percentages of total body water than men. Women also need to use more water for washing, cooking and managing the hygiene of the home.
In the global arena, the Women for Water Partnership, launched and registered at the 12th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development in April 2004, highlights the many important roles of women in water (http://www.womenforwater.org/ 19/10/06). Many researchers have found that that the role of women in Water Supply and Sanitation (WSS) has gained salience and importance, especially after the declaration of the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade and the Fourth World Conference for Women at Beijing (Fong et. al., 1996). Increasingly, women are now widely recognized as having a crucial role to play in the water and sanitation sector. However, the reality is that on the global arena, gender equality is more lip service than action. What is important is for water managers to show why attention to gender is important and how much attention can be ensured in any project. Water managers (including governments) need to be convinced of the rationale for considering gender issues in water and sanitation. Often, this can be achieved by profitability and sustainability. Fong et al (1996) provide ten salient lessons learned from experience in the WSS sector around the world as proofs that gender inclusion is viable and effective. They further document what has and has not worked as well as problems encountered and solutions found. They also provide many examples of good practices by country in detail, especially of international bank supported projects in the WSS sector that have utilized effective gender strategies.
Experience from ADB and around the world has shown that focus on gender brings multiplier effects. Inclusion of gender inputs into projects leads to benefits that go beyond good WSS project performance as manifested in such aspects as enhanced image, better procurement, O & M, recycling and cost recovery, and hygiene awareness. There may also be other benefits such as Economic benefits (For example, better access to water gives women more time for income-generating activities, the needs of family members, or their own welfare and leisure. The economy, as a whole, therefore also benefits); Benefit to children (For example, children, especially girls, can go to school without having to spend long hours fetching water. Girls can then improve their education and be better prepared for better jobs); and Empowerment of women (For example, involvement in WSS projects empowers women, especially when project activities are linked to income-generating activities, productive resources such as credit, and equipping women with better skills) (http://www.adb.org/Documents/Manuals/Gender_Checklists/Water/water200.asp 9 Aug 2006).
The role of women in decision-making has also been recognised in the 1992 Earth Summit Agenda 21 as well as subsequent international conference agreements, including the comprehensive 1995 Women's Conference Platform for Action, Third World Water Forum 2003 (Kyoto) and Fourth World Water Forum 2006 (Mexico). In these forums, governments have largely agreed on the need for gender analysis to reflect the differential impact that policies and programs have on both women and men. However, the reality is that most of these are mere rhetoric, including the "mainstreaming a gender perspective into policy-making" and acceptance of women as equal partners in decision-making relating to the water sector. As such, much remains to be achieved in terms of gender-equity in the water sector. Currently, there is much disparity between the ways in which men and women use and control water. Traditionally, in Asian societies, women are responsible for managing water in the home because of gender-based roles that assign women responsibility for household care. Gender perspectives on water management have become important (Kusakabe 2005). Water is a vital resource crucial for survival. But as the world runs “dry”, water has become a scarce resource, even nicknamed “blue gold”. Within this scenario, water is being fought over and conflicting use compete against one another – for example there are conflicts between industry and agriculture, industry and domestic use, environmental flows and water supply abstraction, ecosystem health and development opportunities, etc. Within all these conflicts somewhere is women. Notwithstanding their vulnerability to water hazards, governments must take into account women's expertise and experience in the water sector to ensure environmentally sound water policies and programs. Certainly, history has shown the value of women's holistic approach in contributing towards creating sustainable communities (Chan and Nitivattananon, 2006).
3 Women Organisations and Water Conservation in Malaysia
In Malaysia, the role and status of women have improved significantly since independence in 1957. In the Ninth Malaysia Plan 2006-2010, an entire chapter (Chapter 13) has been allocated for women development (Government of Malaysia, 2006). During the Eight Malaysia Plan 2000-2005, women advanced in various fields of development, mostly because of equal access to education and training, health care and improved employment opportunities. The Ninth Malaysia Plan also confirmed that gender mainstreaming will be given emphasis and gender considerations included in the formulation of government policies and programmes. The Malaysian Government has set up a Cabinet Committee on Gender equality and there is now a Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWK) Malaysia in the country (http://www.ilo.org/pubcgi/links_ext.pl?http://www.kpwkm.gov.my/ 10 Aug 2006). Its minister is a lady. The objectives of this Ministry include promoting the interest of women and their participation in national development and to coordinate family development programmes. It implements the National Policy on Women and relevant Departments of the Ministry include the Departments of Women's Development, National Unity and the National Population and Family Development Board. However, it is rather unfortunate that there is no apparent link between women and water.
Women NGOs are also strong in Malaysia. The All Women's Action Society (AWAM) in Selangor State formed in 1988 (http://www.awam.netfirms.com/home.htm 10 Aug 2006) is an independent feminist organisation committed to improving the lives of women in Malaysia. Its vision is to create a just and equitable society where women are treated with respect, and free from all forms of violence and discrimination, but it does not deal with water issues. The Asian-Pacific Resources and Research Centre for Women (ARROW) in Kuala Lumpur, established in 1993 is a regional NGO and non-profit organization (NPO) (http://www.arrow.org.my/ 10 Aug 2006). Its goal is for women in Asia and the Pacific to be better able to define and control their lives, particularly in the area of women's health and women's rights. Unfortunately, none of their key areas of concern regarding women touches on water. In Kota Bharu, the Murni Women's Development Foundation of Kelantan (YAYASAN MURNI) objectives are mostly to provide assistance to women in need paying special emphasis to socially underprivileged women, single mothers, widows and victims of violence and their family members. (http://www.newwomen.net/networkingwomen/yayasanmurni 10 Aug 2006). It does not get involved in water issues. There is even a National Advisory Council on the Inter-Action of Women in Development housed within the Prime Minister's Department in Kuala Lumpur. The National Clearinghouse on Women in Development (NCWS), housed under the National Population and Family Development Board in the Prime Minister's Department aims to further enhance awareness on the role and need of women in the overall development process. But again, there is no focus on water. The National Council of Women's Organizations, Malaysia (NCWO) is the main Women's NGO Consultative Coordinating Council and has 61 Affiliates the portfolios of which cover the social, political, economic, religious, professional and trade union sectors but is by and by its constitution non-racial, non-religious, non-political (http://www.ncwo.org.my/ 10 Aug 2006). The NWCO promotes and enhances women's participation and contribution in all sectors of national development. Hence, the NWCO appears a potentially suitable candidate for gender and water issues in the country. However, hitherto, it does not deal with water.
There are many other women organizations in Malaysia, all actively pursuing the interests and role of women. This include the Women's Action Society (SAWO) in Sabah, the Sarawak Federation of Women's Institutes (SFWI) in Sarawak, the Secretariat for Women's Affairs (HAWA) housed within the Administration and Finance Division in the Prime Minister's Department, the Sisters in Islam in Kuala Lumpur, Tenaganita, the Third World Network in Penang, the Women's Aid Organisation (WAO) in Petaling Jaya (http://www.wao.org.my/ 10 Aug 2006), the Women's Crisis Centre (WCC) in Penang (http://www.wccpenang.org/wcc/ 10 Aug 2006), and many others. Unfortunately, none of these organizations have a focus on gender and water issues. Hence, this is one aspect of women organizations in Malaysia that needs to be improved. As Malaysia is very concerned with poverty reduction and equality in income distribution, as well as gender equality, the inclusion of gender provides the platform for women participation and poverty reduction, two other key determinants of the effectiveness and sustainability of WSS management. Gender inclusion ties in very well with their national plans and policies. It is therefore strange to note that both countries have hitherto not embarked on a massive endeavour to include women and gender inputs into water projects in a more institutionalized way. Most current projects with gender inputs are largely ad hoc. If a water project allows women participation, and includes women right from the beginning in the areas of project design, construction, operation and maintenance (O & M), training, and monitoring and evaluation (M & E), as well as water conservation, then the results on poverty reduction and income re-distribution would materialize (Chan, 2006).
In analyzing the progress of women in Malaysia, Fatimah Hassan (Undated) concludes that women have come a long way in uplifting their socio-economic position since country’s independence. Increasingly, women have now moved significantly into spheres previously held by men. Women have increased their representation in literacy, labor force, politics, state machineries, civil societies and in other decision-making bodies both in local and national levels have significantly improved role and position of Malaysian women. In 2002, about 46.7% of women of working age (15-64 years) were involved in the total labor force. The Malaysian National Policy on the Environment aims to enhance quality of life of Malaysian people through environmentally sound and sustainable development at continued economic, social and cultural progresses. However, there were only two women in the 17-member led Environmental Quality Council – the national level body who provides policy guidance to the Department of Environment towards a more holistic approach to environmental management. Nonetheless, it is unfortunate that provisions or interventions related to UEM have not been a major focus of action plan or policy formulated in relations to women and gender equality. Safe drinking water has been provided with equal access to women and men without any segregation in the provision of water to both genders in term of access and charges. Majority of the houses have piped water and electricity. However, there are places such as interior parts of Kelantan, Sabah and Sarawak that lack the provision of safe and hygienic basic amenities such as clean water and sanitation facilities. In some areas water is stored in wells but there are no reports stating gender inequality to the amount of water used. In smaller states such as Malacca, Penang Negeri Sembilan and Perlis, the dry season or El Nino can bring about dry taps, especially outskirts of urban areas. Often, during such times, women and children have to queue in line for water brought by trucks. The limitations of women organizations in the area of water management and conservation should not be seen as a weakness. In fact, it should be viewed as a potential that needs to be developed. Since most women organizations do not yet have a section on water, developing such a section would bring unprecedented results towards greater water conservation, especially in households.
4 Domestic Water Audit and Other Water Conservation Strategies by Women
Despite their relatively subdued current role in water management in women organizations in the country, there is no doubt that women can play a very vital role in the sustainable management of water. One area that women can contribute significantly would be to reduce domestic water consumption via education of family members, teaching school children, and auditing of the household water budget. Domestic Water Audit (DWA) refers to calculating the amount of water that a household uses. This includes water use for indoor water usage such as laundry, in the kitchen, for bathing, for flushing toilets, and other chores as well as outdoor water usage such as watering gardens and lawns, washing tiled/cemented floors, paths and driveways, washing cars, and other installations. All these water usage are in the control of women managers of the home. Based on a study on domestic water audit, selection of the type of washing machine and pattern of usage will determine the amount of water use. A water efficient washing machine will use only 45 litres per wash (3 kgs of clothes) whereas a large Automatic Washing machine will use 120 litres, i.e. 2.7 times the amount of water (www.pic.vic.gov.au/tech_file/Water Audit 2003.pdf 19/10/06). When a washing machine is half-full, using the “half-full” function will additionally save half of water per wash. This may seem insignificant but if one adds up the number of washes per year, the amount of water and money saved is huge. After discarding her old Large Automatic Non-Efficient washing machine, Mrs. Chan from Penang (Malaysia) managed to save 27,000 litres of water per year by using a water efficient washing machine. It should be pointed out that the water savings is only from one activity, i.e. washing clothes. If we consider water savings from other activities as well, it would be much more. However, because of the low water tariffs in Malaysia (average 50 sen per 1000 litres), the amount of money saved is very small. Hence, one cannot look at water savings in terms of money in Malaysia. In order for water saving to be effective, one has to educate the public, especially women who have to be aware and sensitized towards water conservation.
Mrs. Chan also practices wise-dishwashing via using two half-full sinks (one sink for washing with dishwashing liquid and the other for rinsing). This has proven to be able to save a large amount of water. Mrs. Chan saved between 30 to 120 litres of water a day by her dishwashing method compared to other dishwashing methods that use more water. Using a dishwasher is definitely not advisable as it uses too much water, even for water-efficient types. A large amount of water can also be saved in the bathroom. Women can control and audit not only their own bath/shower water usage but also their children and husband. A huge amount of water was saved (between 12 to 370 litres per day) in Mrs. Chan’s house in bathing/showering alone. Again, it is noted that the amount of money saved may be minimal due to the low water tariffs. Another area that the lady of the house can control to reduce water use is the toilet. Selecting the type of toilet flush and controlling the amount of flushes can be vital in saving a lot of water. Also, a huge amount of water saved with a water efficient dual-flush system compared to a conventional single-flush system. Mrs. Chan puts two pieces of bricks into the cistern of one of her WCs, effectively reducing the volume of water flushed from 9 litres to 4.5 litres. She has designated this WC “For Urinating Only”. For defecating, her family members have to use the other toilet which has a normal flush of 9 litres.
Under the DWA, the water usage of outdoor areas is also important to calculate and control. Watering gardens and lawns, especially during hot days where evaporation can be high, can lead to a lot of water being used. Washing paved areas such as driveways, tiled areas and cemented areas as well as cars also consumes a lot of water if a running hose is used. A large amount of water can be saved by merely by changing the pattern/type of washing by using a few buckets of water instead of a running hose. In Mrs. Chan’s case, she controls water use by switching to a bucket and mop for washing floors, and Mr. Chan uses a bucket and a piece of cloth/sponge for washing cars. A bucket should also be used in watering plants as using the hose may lead to a lot of wastage as some of the water may miss the plants’ pots. Water sprinklers that are set on an automatic mode should not be used as they not only use an enormous amount of water but also go off during thunderstorms when watering is unnecessary. Needless to say, having a swimming pool, even a small one, at home is a big user of water. Often, as it is the rich people who can only afford a pool, they do not have the time to use it. Hence, more often than not, swimming pools are unnecessary.
If we add up all the water saved from the above DWA activity, it would be substantial. Table 1 indicates that Mrs. Chan was able to save between 161,100 and 324,900 litres per year by merely using the DWA. The total amount of water saved in just this one house was a maximum of 324,900 litres. This is equivalent to the average usage of 3,249 persons in India for a day. In terms of money, the amount saved via all these activities would be RM162.40. If we can convince all households (via women) to cooperate and carry out their DWA in each household across the country, the total water savings would be 5,000,000 households X 324,900 litres = 1,624.5 billion litres of water saved. This amount of water is equivalent to about 77 Teluk Bahang dams (21,000 million litres capacity) in Penang. In terms of monetary savings, the country would have saved RM162.40 X 5,000,000 households = RM812 million. This amount of money will certainly be very useful in addressing the other water problems in the country such as the high percentage of non-revenue water (i.e. replacing old pipes that are prone to breakage), upgrading water treatment plants, maintenance of existing dams, educating the public on awareness and other important water related projects. More importantly, making people reduce water use means that the building of dams can be postponed to the distant future, i.e. these future dams reserved for future generations. This will ensure that our water resources remain sustainable instead of being depleted.
Table 1: Total Amount of water saved per year via adding up the water saving measures.
A-Type of Water Saving Measure
B-Water Saved based on worse case scenario (Comparing Most Efficient System to Least Efficient System)
C-Water Saved based on comparing Most Efficient System to Moderate Efficient System
D-Water Saved based on comparing Most Efficient System to Low Efficient System
E-Money Saved based on worse case scenario (Comparing Most Efficient System to Least Efficient System)
F-Money Saved based on comparing Most Efficient System to Moderate Efficient System
G-Money Saved based on comparing Most Efficient System to Low Efficient System
A B C D E F G
Washing Machine 27,000 16,200 21,600 RM13.50 RM8.10 RM10.80
Dishwashing 43,200 10,800 21,600 RM21.60 RM5.40 RM10.80
Showering 133,200 36,000 39,600 RM66.60 RM18.00 RM19.80
Toilet Flushing 81,900 31,500 56,700 RM40.95 RM15.75 RM28.35
Watering Garden & Lawns 39,600 10,800 21,600 RM19.80 RM5.40 RM10.80
TOTAL 324,900 105,300 161,100 RM162.40 RM52.65 RM80.55
If mobilized throughout the country in a national water saving campaign, the influence of women on water conservation can be phenomenal. Considering per capita water use, Malaysia exhibit high rates, i.e. about 310 litres (http://www.seawun.org/benchmarking/ 17 may 2006). If the UN recommended usage of 165 litres per capita per day is applied, then Malaysians are wasting 145 litres per capita per day. In urban areas, particularly large cities such as Kuala Lumpur and Georgetown, the per capita usage are much higher averaging above 500 litres per capita. Hence, the urban wastage is about 335 litres per capita. If we multiply the wastage figures by the country’s population of 26 million, the wastage will be 8.71 billion litres of water per day. Such a high level of water wastage is certainly not sustainable. Women can contribute effectively towards reducing this wastage via conservation and education via the following ways. Say if each woman manager of a home manages to reduce 10 % of their water use per day, 31 litres of water is saved per person per day. For the entire country, this is equivalent to 806 million litres per day. Annually, the amount of water savings is about 294,190 million litres, i.e. equivalent to about 14 mid-sized dams. If the water demand reduction is reduced to 20 %, the water saved would be able to fill 28 mid-sized dams. Also, besides reducing water use, women in rural areas are the ones who have to fetch water from wells or rivers. Here, they act as the primary means of sourcing alternative sources of water and reduce dependence on piped water.
In the area of education, mothers can mould their children into responsible water saving adults by starting them young. They can take their children for outings to rivers instead of to supermarkets or shopping complexes. They can lead the children in "River Walk" along the banks of rivers such as the Sg Air Terjun inside the Botanical Gardens. Mothers can request help from WWP experts who will brief the children on the importance of water conservation and hence the need to keep rivers clean. The children can then be treated to some basic water monitoring exercises whereby they would go into the shallow river to conduct themselves. Many women are school teachers and this is an area where water education becomes important. Women teachers can teach students to conserve water the way they teach their own children. In many developed countries, schools have “River Watch” programmes whereby school children monitor the “health” of an adopted river (usually one that is adjacent to their school). This way, they can report any major changes in water quality of rivers due to dumping of toxic materials, rubbish, oil spill or otherwise. In Penang, one of WWP’s activities is the continuous education programme to instill awareness and love for our rivers. The objective is to get one school to adopt a river or part/section of a river and monitor the "Health" of the river via simple indicators. Because participants actually get into the river to perform various tasks, they really enjoyed themselves. Hence there is tremendous potential for women teachers to take advantage of this interesting water education activity. Children need to get out into the field to learn about rivers (Chan et al., 2003). Women control the water budget in the house as they are engaged in watering of plants/vegetables, wash floors and toilets, and other chores needing water. Hence, women can either save or waste water. There may be many other areas in which women can play an important role in water saving. Since the Government is now preaching the use of Water Demand Management (WDM) to complement Water Supply Management (WSM) that has been largely employed by Government so far, WDM in the household will determine whether WDM succeeds or fails. This is because more than half the water demand is from domestic households. Hence, the family unit holds the key to WDM (Chan and Nitivattananon, 2006).
5 Conclusion
In a country blessed with abundant water, water has turned into a critical issue whereby there is inefficient use and high wastage. There is a role for consumers to play, especially women. Via WDM, a non-technological tool, women can help curb domestic wastage, ensuring wise use and conservation of water. In the domestic area, women can play a vital role as they are the “water managers” at home. Women such as Mrs. Chan can use Domestic Water Audit effectively to audit their household water use, and make adjustments to the water use pattern to reduce demand. Significant savings, both in terms of the volume of water and money can be saved. As women use water for most of the domestic chores in the home, they are effective water conservation agents in the home. When women save water in the home, they also educate their children, family members, neighbours and friends about the importance of water conservation. Women can also cut down on water use via substitution of water-saving equipment and methods, and other personal adjustments. A sustained national WDM initiative whereby women are the key players towards achieving sustainable management of water resources is needed. As domestic water consumption is about half of the country’s total water demand, the reduction of domestic water demand would be vital in achieving water sustainability. When every family cooperates, led by women, the reduction in consumption can save the country a lot of water and postponed the building of dams which can be saved for future generations.
Acknowledgements: The authors would like to express their thanks to the CIDA-AIT Partnership 2003-2008 Southeast Asia Urban Environmental Management Applications Project, and the Urban Environmental Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development, Asian Institute of Technology, for funding and administrative support in the project from which this paper is produced.
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NOTE: This paper is published as follows:
Chan N W and Nitivattananon V. (2006) “Women’s Role in water Conservation in Malaysia.” Proceedings of Regional Conference on Urban Water and Sanitation in Southeast Asian Countries, Vientianne, Lao PDR, 22-24 November 2006. Pathumthani: Asian Institute of Technology, 323-335.