Women and Water in Central Asia: The Untapped Power to Combat Climate Change

Central Asia – a vast expanse of rugged steppes, towering mountains, and endless deserts that have shaped the lives of its nomadic peoples for millennia. For centuries, the nomadic peoples – herders of horses, camels, and sheep – have roamed these landscapes, their lives tethered to the rhythm of the seasons, the stars, and the wide, open skies. A culture with unique traditions shaped by Persian, Islamic, and Chinese influences, reserving a remarkable role for women.

(Hereon, Central Asia is considered Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan)

Women of the nomadic communities had a crucial role in “an array of tasks including riding, housework, pitching and taking down tents, training and raising children as well as crafting”. In addition, they held a status in managing certain domestic issues (Malakbozova, n. d.). A different outlook on societal organization compared to the notions of the Western patriarchy (Ismailbekova, 2022).

In the 19th century, as the Russian Empire expanded, Central Asia became part of its new frontier. By the early 20th century, the Soviets completed their conquest, enforcing collectivization, urbanization, and the suppression of traditional nomadic lifestyles. The yurts disappeared from the steppes, and the once-roving peoples were brought into Soviet towns, forced to abandon their traditional ways in favor of collective farms and industrial labor. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the republics of Central Asia – Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan – gained independence in a spurt of nationalism. The forces of modernity transformed their cities, economies, and forms of social organization, and women retained old and acquired new responsibilities as men massively emigrated to Russia for labour. Now, a more ferocious force significantly shapes the regional livelihoods – climate change, impacting the practices and technologies of water management particularly in a gender-disproportionate manner.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Image source: https://steppejourneys.com/exploring-the-safety-of-traveling-to-uzbekistan-a-gem-in-the-heart-of-central-asia/

The growing anthropological impact of climate change on the region has been devastating. In the Far East, glaciers are melting, exacerbating the quantity and severity of floods and droughts (Akhmetkaliyeva, n. d.). Outdated Soviet water technologies and infrastructure cannot support the growing region’s demography. Moreover, as a land-locked region, the disappearance of its glaciers poses serious risks to the rural communities that depend on agriculture, adding pressure on water security and women who are responsible for important domestic tasks, including rural water management.

Water management has been a critical issue for Central Asia since its occupation by the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union (Zonn et al, 2020). Vast arid landscapes were targeted for immense agricultural development projects, implemented by the Soviet administration in the 20th century (Lajus, 2022). River flows were re-engineered, and canals and dams were built to divert water from lakes and rivers towards agricultural growth – primarily of cotton. The two main rivers, the Amu Darya and the Syr Darya, flowing from the eastern mountains through the South and the North, respectively, end up in the Aral Sea (Figure 1). Soviet agricultural projects of the 20th century caused the Aral Sea to dry up, leaving behind layers of fertilizer deposits, and high levels of salts, and toxins, similarly devastating the rivers. This positioned the regional water systems in a precarious position, leaving them vulnerable to the unknown contemporary impacts of climate change.

Figure 1 - Water Resources of Central Asia, source: https://www.geocurrents.info/blog/2013/03/19/zois-fantastic-central-asia-water-map-and-turkmenistans-geo-engineering-projects/

At the household and community levels, women provide, manage, and safeguard water resources. They are often the collectors, users, and managers of water for domestic use (i.e. sanitation) and agricultural activities (Asian Development Bank, 2013). The traditional aspect of women as caretakers and the historical emigration of men for labour to Russia curated this relationship with water. Women have accumulated significant knowledge about water quality, reliability, storage methods, etc. Yet women are frequently excluded from decision-making processes related to water management, such as village meetings (e.g. 'mahalli' meetings) where important decisions on land use, irrigation, and water allocation are made (World Bank Group, 2021). They are often depicted in domestic roles, responsible for water collection and household tasks, while men dominate the leadership positions in water management and agriculture. Moreover, the media reinforces these stereotypes by framing men as active decision-makers and women as passive participants, often relegated to traditional roles (Bozorova, 2020). This leads to a great reserve of knowledge and expertise gone untapped.

The absence of female participation in water management leadership roles has negative implications, including for the health and sanitation of women and children. Traditionally, women are responsible for ensuring household water is clean for consumption and bathing. Poor sanitation can spread water-borne diseases which remain a concern in the region. There are gaps in women's access to information, education, and capacity development related to water management, partly due to limited programs supporting young female researchers and students in this field. Male-dominated water management undermines the effectiveness of projects and holds back economic growth and development in the region (World Bank Group, 2021). Thus, engaging women as leaders in water policy is crucial to the socioeconomic development of Central Asian communities.

Image source: https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/01/20/promoting-womens-participation-in-water-resource-management-in-central-asia

The “Women in Water Diplomacy Network” is an example of the growing voice for women in water policy leadership in Central Asia and beyond (Environmental Law Institute). Every year, the Women in Water Diplomacy Global Network Forum gathers formal and informal water decision-makers to address challenges, share experiences, and foster cooperation for sustainable water management. It unites women water diplomats across various regions, including the Nile Basin, Central Asia, Southern Africa, and the Americas. The second Global Network Forum took place just recently in Vienna, Austria, in March of 2024. However, the contribution of women in the decision-making processes to the contemporary climate challenge is still minuscule relative to men and is a cause for greater concern with the growing global water crisis.

Conclusion

As Central Asia grapples with the harsh realities of climate change, women continue to play a pivotal yet underappreciated role in managing water resources. Despite their extensive knowledge and responsibilities in rural water management, their exclusion from leadership in decision-making remains a significant obstacle. The rise of initiatives like the "Women in Water Diplomacy Network" offers hope for change, yet their contribution to addressing the region’s environmental challenges is still limited. With water security increasingly at risk, the question lingers: Will the voices of women finally gain the influence needed to reshape the water policies of Central Asia and beyond?

References

Akhmetkaliyeva, S. (n.d.). Impacts of climate change in Central Asia – eri. Eurasian Research Institute. https://www.eurasian-research.org/publication/impacts-of-climate-change-in-central-asia/

Asian Development Bank. (2013, July 5). A story within a story: Gender and water in Uzbekistan. Asian Development Bank. https://www.adb.org/publications/story-within-story-gender-and-water-uzbekistan

Bozorova, M. A. (2020, September 10). Press coverage of Gendered Labour division in the water sector of Uzbekistan. Central Asian Journal of Water Research. https://water-ca.org/article/press-coverage-of-gendered-labour-division-in-the-water-sector-of-uzbekistan

Ismailbekova, A. (2022, June 16). Women, kinship, and property in Central Asia. Voices On Cental Asia. https://voicesoncentralasia.org/women-kinship-and-property-in-central-asia/

Lajus, J. (2022, June 26). Project MUSE - Aridity and the History of Water in Central Asia and Beyond. Project MUSE - Aridity and the History of Water in Central Asia and Beyond. https://doi.org/10.1353/kri.2022.0027 

Malakbozova, M. (n.d.). Did you know?: The role of women in central asian nomadic society. Did you know?: The Role of Women in Central Asian Nomadic Society | Silk Roads Programme. https://en.unesco.org/silkroad/content/did-you-know-role-women-central-asian-nomadic-society

Women in water diplomacy network 2023 year-in-Review Online Event. Environmental Law Institute. (n.d.). https://www.eli.org/events/women-water-diplomacy-network-2023-year-review-online-event

World Bank Group. (2021, January 22). Promoting women’s participation in water resource management in Central Asia. World Bank. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/01/20/promoting-womens-participation-in-water-resource-management-in-central-asia

Zonn, I. S., Zhiltsov, S. S., Kostianoy, A. G., & Semenov, A. V. (Eds.). (2020, August 22). Water Resources Management in Central Asia (Vol. 105). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-57986-9