72 Protec ting Communit y Water
Women are important in planning
Women may have different needs for water than men. It is usually women who
collect and treat water for family use. But it is often men who are in charge of
building and maintaining water systems. Because of these differences in men’s
and women’s work, it is helpful to use planning activities that involve women.
2 circles
This activity helps women think about their water needs and the barriers they
face in meeting these needs.
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour
Materials: Large drawing paper, drawing pens
➊ Divide into groups of no more than 10 women each. Give each group drawing
pens and paper.
➋ Each group draws 2 circles on their paper, a large circle with a smaller circle inside.
➌ Inside the larger circle each person draws or lists the water, sanitation, and
health-related problems that affect the whole community. Inside the smaller
circle they draw or list the problems that affect women in particular.
➍ Bring the groups back together and discuss: How do the problems in the 2 circles
differ? How are the problems similar? What solutions can be found for both?
How can we make sure the women’s problems receive enough attention?
This activity can also be done with women
and men together. If men participate, have
one of the groups be only men, and have
each group draw 2 small circles inside the
large circle rather than only one. Let one
of the smaller circles include problems
that affect women and the other
include problems that affect men.
When the groups come back
together, ask the men to think
about how they can help improve
conditions that affect women. This may
include building toilets closer to homes,
having men collect and carry water, spend more
time with children, and so on. It may be more comfortable to have the
women discuss their issues in private before the men discuss theirs, especially in
communities where men and women may have strong differences of opinion.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012