Nene Mere – a woman’s right to water

“Life would have been easier if I had my own in-house water tap... sometimes when there is no water, I had to walk seventy-five metres down to the nearest river supported by my walking stick"

Makalesi or “Nene Mere” as she is known in her village is 89 years old. She was born and bred in Vunamoli, a remote village located at the foothills of the Nausori Highlands on mainland Fiji. Women are the primary users of water in many communities across Fiji. They are responsible for tasks such as cleaning the house, washing dishes, cleaning toilets, bathing children, caring for sick family members, and taking others to the toilet.

However, due to strong patriarchal traditions in Fijian culture, decisions regarding water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) management in communities are not made for or by women.

With support from the Australian Government, through Water for Women, Habitat for Humanity is seeking to change this. Working in Vunamoli, as well as 49 other communities across the Ba and Ra provinces, Habitat are working to support diverse and marginalised groups, including women, to more effectively engage in WASH decision making structures.

When women speak they represent the voice of the community. When women like Nene Mere are supported to speak up in decision making, they bring their wealth of experience and knowledge in managing water. By training community leaders, including the WASH committee, to be more gender-inclusive, we can ensure that the needs of the whole community are met.

This World Water Day, we are celebrating the work being done to contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 6 - Water for All and ensuring we Leave No One Behind in achieving it.