Q&A: Harriette Okal on water’s role in fostering peace

At SEI, I serve as an Associate Scientist/Research Fellow specializing in water systems. My role involves spearheading research initiatives on integrated water planning, water-energy-food nexus, and water and sanitation. While I’m relatively new to this position, I’m eager to leverage SEI’s WEAP tool for water modelling and actively participate in key water and oceans policy processes at various levels. Additionally, I’m committed to contributing to capacity building initiatives. My passion stems from a simple belief: water is life, and ensuring its sustainability is crucial for our future.

Absolutely. In my research, I’ve witnessed numerous instances where water scarcity acts as a silent instigator of conflicts, sparking tensions particularly over shared resources like rivers and lakes. One common scenario is tensions between upstream and downstream water users, a recurring narrative exacerbated by dwindling water supplies. When water runs scarce, so does peace. Living in a water-scarce town during my PhD, where water was rationed on alternate days (water-on and water-off days), I experienced firsthand how water scarcity heightens tensions. It’s almost comical how people expected a hydrologist to conjure water out of thin air! The reality is: water scarcity can turn the tide from cooperation to conflict.

We need to rewrite the narrative around water. By embracing integrated water management, ensuring equitable allocation, and fostering dialogue among stakeholders, we can turn water scarcity into an opportunity for cooperation rather than conflict. We can unlock solutions that benefit all parties involved. It’s about turning the faucet of cooperation to quench the fires of conflict.

Unequal access to water hits women the hardest. As primary water collectors, women bear the brunt of this burden, often sacrificing educational and health opportunities. In conflict zones, water scarcity amplifies gender inequalities, further marginalizing women and girls, and leaving them parched for vital resources. In water wars, women are the unsung heroes as they carry the weight of their communities’ survival on their shoulders.

Empowerment is key. By involving women in decision-making, providing and expanding access to education and technology, and implementing gender-responsive policies, we can break the cycle of inequality and ensure that every drop counts. In water management, gender equality isn’t just a drop in the bucket; it’s the ripple effect that transforms societies.

Adaptation is our lifeline. Embracing nature-based solutions, leveraging technology for data-driven decisions, and fostering resilience in our infrastructure can help us weather the storm of climate change and secure our water future. In the face of climate uncertainty, innovation isn’t an option; it’s a necessity to keep our waters flowing and our peace intact.