Contours of Crisis: Investigating the Contribution of Water Scarcity and the 'Water Wives' Phenomenon to the Gender Disparities in Maharashtra, India

A recent report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of women to environmental challenges. This disparity is particularly evident in Maharashtra, India, where severe water scarcity exacerbates hardships faced by women.

The scarcity of water has led communities to extreme measures, including the dehumanization and commodification of women. The practice of men marrying multiple women for water procurement underscores the desperate response to environmental challenges, intensifying gender inequalities and raising concerns about basic human rights and dignity.

The present study focuses on a case study from Maharashtra, where water scarcity affects over 19,000 villages. In Denganmal village, Shahpura Taluka, Thane District, villagers endure a gruelling 12-hour effort to obtain water, highlighting the severity of the situation.

As a resilience mechanism, local communities have resorted to multiple marriages, believing that more women in the household enhances the ability to procure drinking water. These women, termed "Water Wives," symbolize a socio-environmental issue.

The emergence of "Water Wives" in Maharashtra illustrates the complex interplay between environmental challenges, gender disparities, and societal responses. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing targeted interventions and policies addressing both the immediate water scarcity crisis and broader gender inequality issues.

This study delves into the multifaceted issue of water scarcity concerning women in the region, focusing on unravelling the intricacies of the processes of 'dehumanization' and 'commodification' experienced by women. By understanding these circumstances, the research aims to illuminate the root causes leading to the current state of affairs.