Gender Dynamics and Socio-Economic Implications of Household Water Collection in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the high hydrological density of the Niger Delta, household water insecurity remains a critical driver of time-poverty and socio-economic inequality. This study provides an empirical assessment of the gendered dynamics and socio-economic implications of water collection across eight Local Government Areas (LGAs) headquarters in Bayelsa State. Moving beyond global generalizations, the research investigates the "paradox of plenty" where abundant surface water fails to translate into domestic security. A multi-stage, cross-sectional descriptive survey of 395 households was employed; this design was specifically selected to facilitate a comparative analysis across diverse riverine, semi-urban and urban strata, utilizing structured questionnaires and contextual qualitative interviews to capture "invisible" labour patterns. Data were analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics using Microsoft Excel and SPSS version 26.0. Results from 157 primary collectors revealed a nuanced gendered distribution: adult females (34%), male children (24%), and adult males (21%). Crucially, Chi-square tests (p = 0.061) revealed no statistically significant association between gender and responsibility across most locations, challenging the global "feminization of water" narrative. This suggests that in the Bayelsa context, extreme infrastructural deficits transcend gender roles, forcing a "collective household survival" model. However, the socio-economic toll remains skewed, with 68% citing physical strain and 16% reporting harassment, directly impeding education and income-generation. The study concludes that water collection in the region is a survival-driven labour activity rather than a socially assigned gender role, dictated by failed utility infrastructure. Addressing this crisis, therefore, requires more than technical engineering; it demands gender-sensitive WASH policies that recognize the "silent" labour of women and children. By improving proximate access to water, the state can effectively redistribute household labour, mitigating the physical and safety risks that currently accumulate unevenly among the most vulnerable household members.