VI. UNFPA Seminar on "Population, Water and Gender in Asia"

On December 4, 2003, the UNFPA Seminar on "Population, Water and Gender in Asia" was held in the Conference Room on the 9th floor of the Kobe International House, under the joint auspices of Tokyo Office of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and AUICK. The UNFPA Seminar was organized as a public Open Forum of "The 2003 Seminar on Population and Sustainable Water Resource Management in Urban Planning" to the public. The seminar attracted a 150-strong audience, made up of interested citizens, students, academic experts, media and local government workers.

UNFPA is an international body established in 1969 following a resolution passed by the United Nations General Assembly to address the global problem of population growth, which is now one of the top priorities facing humanity. In 1989, the Asian Urban Information Center of Kobe was set up with the support of UNFPA and the City of Kobe Government, to act as an information network among cities in Asia as means to assist in the resolution of urban problems. Thus, Kobe has a long and close relationship with UNFPA in fostering international cooperation to achieve common goals. The first UNFPA seminar was held on February 18, 2003, under the title of "The UNFPA Seminar on Protection against HIV/AIDS." AUICK will organize UNFPA seminars regularly as an open forum in every training course for promoting the activities of UNFPA and AUICK to Kobe citizens.

The seminar opened with greetings by Mr. Masayuki Ishitsubo, the Executive Director of AUICK. Mr. Ishitsubo introduced the topics to be discussed in the keynote presentation, as follows: i) The world's water shortage and how to address it; ii) Environmental degradation in the cities caused by a combination of rapidly increasing population and industrialization, causing an increased demand for water, a demand which outstrips supply in many cases; and iii) Gender issues, specifically the issue of women and water. (Much of the work surrounding providing water for families in underdeveloped countries is undertaken by women.)

In closing his opening remarks, Mr. Ishitsubo introduced Ms. Kiyoko Ikegami, Director of UNFPA Tokyo Office, as a facilitator of the Seminar.

Ms. Kiyoko Ikegami invited Mr. K.S. Seetharam, a specialist on Population and Development Strategies at the Emerging Social Issues Division of the United Nations Economic and Social Commssion for Asia and the Pacific (UN/ESCAP), who delivered a keynote lecture. Initially, Mr. Satish Mehra, Deputy Director of the Asia and the Pacific Division of UNFPA had planned to deliver the lecture, but a problem on his flight caused an unavoidable delay which prevented his attendance. Fortunately, Mr. Seetharam, who had been assisting AUICK in preparing the project proposal for the period 2004-2007 for UNFPA, was gracious enough to deliver the lecture in Mr. Mehrer's place.

Following the lecture, the senior officials in charge of water management and urban planning from nine Asian medium-sized, as panelists, made a brief report on the water issues which their cities are facing. Questions and answers were then invited from the gallery.

Keynote Lecture:
"Population, Water and Gender in Asia - the United Nation's Warning"

Mr. K. S. Seetharam
Specialist of UN/ESCAP

The world's population has more than doubled in the fifty years between 1950 and 2000, both in the world, and in Asia specifically, though the population growth rate has peaked and is now slowly decreasing. Asia is home to 62 percent of the world's population, according to 2000 figures. At present, 40 percent of the world's population (a figure which equals 2.4 billion people) live in areas with moderate to high water stress. (An area is defined as suffering from water stress when there is less than 1,700m3 of water per person per year; similarly, water scarcity equates to less than 1,000m3 of water per person per year.) Of these 2.4 billion, 70 percent (or 1.7 billion people) live in Asia. Though the amount of freshwater in the world remains constant, its uneven distribution - and a rising demand - are leading to increasing scarcities. If projected population trends continue, by 2025, two-thirds of the world's population will be living in water-stressed conditions.

Only about 1 percent of the world's water is available for consumption; 97 percent is accounted for by the oceans and seas of the world, and a further 2 percent is locked up in glaciers and permanent snow. Whilst the world's population has increased threefold over the past century, water use has increased sixfold. Population growth, increasing consumption and economic production combine to exert heavy pressure on existing freshwater supplies, and these resources are further reduced and threatened by pollution and ecological degradation.

On September 8, 2000, over 150 heads of state from around the world unanimously adopted the "United Nations Millennium Declaration" at the conclusion of their United Nations (UN) Millennium Summit. Contained in that declaration are the following "Millennium Goals for Water":

To halve, by the year 2015...the proportion of people who are unable to reach, or to afford, safe drinking water.

To stop the unsustainable exploitation of water resources, by developing water management strategies at the regional, national and local levels, which promote both equitable access and adequate supplies.

Out of 48 countries expected to have severe water shortages by 2025, 40 are in Asia. Even though access to clean water has increased over time, 1.2 billion people still lack access, and 2.4 billion people don't have safe sanitation. Around 900 million of those people live in extreme poverty, and 750 million of them live in Asia.

Pollution, in particular, is a major worry, as it comes in so many different forms: freshwater resources are degraded by ground water contamination, salinization and both industrial and human waste. Every year, an estimated 300-500 million tons of heavy metals, solvents and toxic sludge accumulate in the form of industrial by-products. In developing countries, 70 percent of this industrial waste is dumped untreated into waters where it pollutes the usable water supply. It is this water pollution that is closely linked to the decline of freshwater species in all parts of the world.

For example, in Bangladesh, arsenic contamination in water is poisoning 35 million people [about 30 percent of the population], causing skin infections, skin cancer, blindness and physical disability. India's 14 major rivers carry an estimated 50 million cubic meters of untreated sewage each year. New Delhi dumps more than 200 million liters of raw sewage and 20 million liters of industrial waste into the River Yamuna annually.

In addition there are increasing worries about food production due to the overwhelming dependence in the world on irrigation to ensure food security. To grow one ton of grain, 1,000 tons of water are needed; to grow one ton of rice, the figure increases to 2,000 tons of water. In many parts of Asia, deforestation (in part due to increased urbanization), and the prevalence of water-intensive agriculture are hastening the depletion of existing water resources at rapid rates: In some parts of India, the level of the water table is declining by as much as three meters a year.

Asia will have to cope with major urban challenges in the future, as over 50 percent of its population will live in urban areas by 2025. Good city water management is complex and requires managing water supplies for domestic and industrial needs; pollution and waste management; and extending services to low-income areas. Cities often discharge their waste downstream, affecting other users, Increased consumption in urban areas diverts water from rural districts, contributing to rural poverty levels.

In most low-income countries, women bear the responsibility of fetching water for their household needs. Poor women in rural areas, without easy access to water sources spend hours every day collecting water, affecting their productive potential and their health. In urban areas, women and children often need to wait in long lines to get water from municipal standpipes or hand pumps. Women play a central role in water management. They are often the collectors, users and managers of water in the household, as well as farmers of irrigated and rain-fed crops. Reducing the amount of time women spend collecting water allows for increased opportunities for schooling, taking care of children, employment and self-development.

According to the World Health Organization, 80 percent of all sickness in the world can be attributed to unsafe water and sanitation. Waterborne diseases and poor sanitation kill 3.4 million people, mostly children, every year. Family health is mostly regarded as a female responsibility. Frequent water-related diseases in a household limits economic activity, increases costs and deepens poverty. A recent World Bank review of 121 rural water supply projects found that women's participation had a positive impact on the effectiveness of the projects. Programs that employed gender perspectives and sought women's involvement in their development and implementation were found to be more effective and to contribute to environmental stability. One example of such a project focuses on Dr. Rajendra Singh, who won the Magsaysay Award in 2001 for his role in reviving traditional rainwater harvesting methods in Rajasthan, India.

To summarize, a better understanding of the relation between population dynamics and water resources is needed to design policies and programs to achieve water security and improve access to water. Furthermore, comprehensive solutions to the inter-related challenges of rapid population growth, global environmental degradation, water scarcity and poverty are required for sustainable development. However, gender issues need addressing right from the inception of a project, continuing through its design, implementation and long-term monitoring. Women's participation must be broadened and specific steps taken to empower women to take up leadership and managerial roles in water management.

Finally, and most importantly, mention must be made of individual responsibility. Water is a very valuable and scarce resource and each individual must be conscious to use it responsibly and judiciously.

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1) Mr. A. K. M. Rezaul Karim (Chittagong, Bangladesh)

Ensuring the supply of pure drinking water for all citizens is one of our highest priorities.

To protect the lakes and ponds in the city, we are imposing measures against water pollution, especially in the Chaktai canals, Karnaphuli River and in the Bay of Bengal. We are also making efforts in providing new lakes and reservoir ponds in the city area in order to replenish the underground water supply. Bangladesh may be a poor country, but our rivers are still very clean.

2) Mr. Guanmin Li (Tianjin, China)

Rapid implementation of water conservation measures is essential to cope with the rapid urbanization and population increase.

3) Mr. Arumugam Swaminathan (Chennai, India)

Ground water level is getting lower each year due to excessive use during the summer, mainly via deep bore-wells. In order to counter this, the state government has made it mandatory for all households to have equipment installed to collect rainwater which is then introduced to the municipal water system. Public awareness of this has been increased through the use of the media, while bulk sewage generators are being encouraged to recycle sewage and recover reusable water.

4) Ms. Euis Darliana (Surabaya, Indonesia)

Much of Indonesian society regards water as an unlimited natural resource. Changing this is the number one challenge. Water quality of the River Surabaya is decreasing and treatment is becoming more difficult. One positive note is that environmental education is now on the curriculum at elementary schools.

5) Mr. Alias Salleh (Kuantan, Malaysia)

There is demand of water from both general public and business sectors. Water resources are insufficient and many development projects are unable to be implemented or completed on time. We are now changing water resource policy from state level to federal level and protecting upstream water resources A committee has been formed to liaise between business leaders and local government officials, and better planning is projected for the near future.

6) Mr. Syed Ghias Ud Din (Faisalabad, Pakistan)

We are addressing treatment of domestic, commercial and industrial effluent, recycling of subsoil saline water, treatment of raw/canal water, and better management and development of ground water.

7) Ms. Lynette Labo Dela Cruz (Olongapo, Philippines)
More than 50 percent of the city's employees are women, including both the mayor and the deputy mayor, and there is a women's desk in the city government to deal with gender-specific issues. However, there are more than 500 households in forest areas which water pipes can't access, and here the women have to bear the burden of fetching water.

8) Mr. Yinchai Arnanthanasakun (Khon Kaen, Thailand)

Water quality is the biggest issue in Khon Kaen and improved awareness of the public is essential. Television announcements promoting water conservation are having a great effect in educating the public.

9) Mr. Du Nang Khoa (Haiphong, Vietnam)
Rapid urbanization in Haiphong has led to the pollution of the River Re, River Gia and River Dado. Commercial projects near the riverbanks don't take the rivers into consideration. A series of "Green Areas" is planned, but resources are limited. Increased education of the city's inhabitants is essential, as many people continue to pollute the rivers.

Overview

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Questions and Answers

Q1: It's easy to forget water is an important daily resource. Sometimes we waste water. How should we conserve it?

Q2: (Addressed to Ms. Lynette Labo Dela Cruz) Japan is a male-dominated society. How is it that the Philippines has so many strong women? What happened?

Q3: (Addressed to Mr. A. K. .M Rezaul Karim) Bangladesh is very impressive. It is poor, but has clean rivers. How does the city government handle the sewage/waste water issue?

A1: (Mr. Seetharam) We all can contribute to it, it's a question of individual responsibility. Educate children, who then bring back what they've learnt to their families. It's best to catch them when they're young! And it's not only a case of "Don't waste water!" but also one of "Don't contaminate the water!"

A2: (Ms. Lynette Labo Dela Cruz) The prime minister of the Philippines is a woman, as is my city's mayor. (She's in her ninth year). It's simply a case of raising awareness of the ability and potential of women.

A3-1: (Mr. A. K. M. Rezaul Karim) People's participation is very important. Those who have some education should put it back into society rather than enriching oneself. It's very important to try and serve society by active participation, educating the people.

A3-2: (Mr. Syed Ghias Ud Din) We have a good education system, left over from colonial days, but people need to know what crops should be grown to maximize our resources. Sugar cane, which is grown in Pakistan for export, uses too much water. We shouldn't grow it. The number one priority should be potable, drinking water.

A3-3: (Ms. Lynette Labo Dela Cruz) Tree planting programs are useful to help educate people about the importance of the environment.

Q4: (Addressed to Mr. Arumugam Swaminathan) Did the authorities meet with any resistance when making people add facilities to collect rainwater?

Q5: Do any panelists have experience of water issues during disasters?

A4: The cost was small, and, as we educated the public about the issue, the response was good.

A5: Water is just one of many factors to consider during a disaster - the whole "environment" needs to be considered. An integrated approach is essential.

Editor's Note: This article is a summary of the UNFPA Seminar. AUICK takes full editorial responsibility for the content.