Interpersonal Conflict over Water Is Associated with Household Demographics, Domains of Water Insecurity, and Regional Conflict: Evidence from Nine Sites across Eight Sub-Saharan African Countries

Amber Pearson,Amanda Ross,Erin Bunting,Tom Evans,Elizabeth Mack,Richard Marcantonio,Joshua Miller,Audrey Smith,Andrew Zimmer

doi:10.3390/w13091150

Abstract

Water insecurity may precipitate interpersonal conflict, although no studies to date have rigorously examined these relationships. We examined relationships between household demographics, water insecurity, regional conflict, and interpersonal conflict over water. Using survey data from eight sub-Saharan African countries, we found that interpersonal conflict within and outside the home is associated with multiple domains of water insecurity, particularly accessibility. Furthermore, we found that higher levels of remote violence and protests are associated with greater within household conflict, whereas riots and violent armed conflict are associated with greater conflict between neighbors. Our findings expand upon the current literature by examining factors affecting interpersonal conflict over water, which may become increasingly important as precipitation patterns and land temperatures change in this region.

Highlights

The analysis moves beyond a consideration of water availability to empirically consider other domains of water insecurity that may be related to interpersonal conflict
Water is vital to life, and water security is becoming increasingly variable, in sub-Saharan Africa
There remains a paucity of research about relationships between demographics, water insecurity, and interpersonal conflict

Summary

Introduction

Sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water (i.e., water security) [1] is fundamental for human health and societal well-being. Disparities in water access are related to geographic, economic, and social divisions [3] and are anticipated to be exacerbated by increases in extreme weather events and changing rainfall patterns caused by climate change [2]. These changes and disparities are compounded by water-intensive behaviors, such as excess freshwater withdrawal, related to increasing rates of urbanization and economic development [4]. Macroeconomic changes and political upheaval further undermine equitable water availability, accessibility, affordability, quality, and reliability [5,6]

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Conclusion