Water Scarcity Threatens Girls' Education in India

November 18, 2025 - 12:07

Each morning, 17-year-old Ramati Mangla embarks on a challenging journey barefoot, carrying a steel pot as she walks several kilometers to collect water from a distant spring in Maharashtra, India. This daily ritual, once a mundane task, has transformed into a struggle for survival amid the harsh realities of climate change. For Mangla and countless other girls across the country, the dwindling water supply is forcing them to make difficult choices between their education and the basic necessity of water.

As wells dry up due to changing weather patterns, the burden of water collection often falls on young girls, who are expected to prioritize household responsibilities over their schooling. The consequences are dire, with many girls forced to abandon their studies to support their families. This alarming trend not only hinders their personal development but also threatens the broader goal of gender equality in education. The situation calls for urgent action to address the impact of climate change on communities and to ensure that girls can pursue their right to education without compromise.