Frequently asked questions Stop sex for water campaign

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About the petition

Why this petition?

Climate change worsens access to water: droughts, but also floods damage water sources. In the cities, women and girls therefore queue for hours for a jerry can of water and in remote areas they walk for miles in search of water for their families.

The lengthy journeys and long waiting times mean that they cannot go to school or earn an income, but it also leads to sexual extortion.

Research shows that many women are harassed or sexually intimidated in line for water and that some women and girls are even forced to have sex with the men who manage the water points in exchange for water.

In 2023, Simavi collected more than 27,000 signatures, and a motion was passed by the House of Representatives for the Dutch government to pay attention to this in its foreign policy. But we want global action! That is why we are going international in 2024 with our petition. With the 2024 edition, we want to let the Special Rapporteur of the United Nations know that sex for water has to stop.

What does the petition entail and whom is it directed at?

We believe that everyone, everywhere in the world should have safe access to drinking water. Rising water scarcity due to climate change hits women the hardest. We demand that governments give greater priority to ensuring safe access to water for women and girls and do all they can to eliminate the practice of sex for water.

Water is a human right and should never be used as a tool of corruption or sextortion. Women and girls must be protected from the extreme consequences of the water crisis. Therefore, we urge the UN Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, to hold governments accountable for this terrible human rights violation. Governments must take responsibility and be urged to eliminate sextortion.

We want to collect 80,000 signatures, making an urgent appeal to the UN Special Rapporteur on water and sanitation, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo. He is in a position to hold governments accountable for this terrible human rights violation.

How does signing the petition help solve this problem?

In 2023, more than 27,000 people signed our petition. We presented this to the Dutch parliament. This caused the horrific consequences of the water crisis for women to be raised by Members of Parliament in the Climate Debate. A motion was tabled to call on the government to "ensure, in the face of climate change, that the Dutch commitment in the water sector continues to serve women and girls in the most vulnerable areas and that the right to drinking water and sanitation is not compromised". This motion was passed with broad support by the House of Representatives. But we want global action! That's why we are going international with our petition in 2024.

What are you going to do with the signatures?

In November, we will present the petition to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. The role of this Special Rapporteur is to monitor how the universal human right to access to water and sanitation is implemented worldwide.

The Special Rapporteur receives complaints and takes action based on those. Country missions are carried out in which countries are personally visited by the Special Rapporteur. He conducts research on site and interviews various people and civil society organisations.

At the end of a country mission, the Special Rapporteur announces his conclusions at a press conference and draws up a report for the United Nations with recommendations for governments. These recommendations offer civil society organisations and other stakeholders, such as our partner organisations in the countries where we work, the opportunity to increase the pressure so that governments take the warnings to heart.

Why does the petition require me to indicate if I am male/female/other?

We would like to thank all signatories of the petition and keep them informed (of the action). We would like to be able to address you in the way you prefer, which is why we ask people to indicate this preference.

Climate change and water scarcity

Climate change: what is it?

Our planet is warming up due to increasing amounts of greenhouses gases in the air. These gases, such as CO2 and methane, maintain the sun's heat and create a "natural greenhouse effect." Without this effect, the average temperature on earth would be 33 degrees lower, but with too many emissions in the air it can become too hot as well. Since the industrial revolution, humans' influence on the climate has changed rapidly. The increasing use of fossil fuels, deforestation and livestock farming results in more emissions into the air. This strengthens the natural greenhouse effect and causes global warming with enormous consequences for people and the planet.

Why is the climate crisis a water crisis?

The climate crisis is inextricably linked to water: 90% of all natural disasters are water-related. The right to water and sanitation is under pressure worldwide due to the negative consequences of climate change. Extreme drought and heavy flooding put pressure on access and quality of drinking water for millions of people.

More than 2 billion people live in countries with water shortages, a situation that is expected to worsen in some regions due to climate change and population growth. (WHO)

What is the role of climate change on access to drinking water?

The role of climate change on access to drinking water is huge. Climate change is causing more unpredictable weather and more extreme weather events. This results in drought, flooding and sea-level rise. As a result, (natural) water points run dry, water becomes polluted or saline or water sources break down, thus reducing access to drinking water.

Sextortion and sex for water

What is sextortion (for water)?

Sextortion is a form of extortion or corruption in which people abuse their positions of power to obtain sexual services from women or girls. This could include water vendors, water point managers or government employees. Sextortion comes in several forms, including the practice where women in parts of Africa and Asia are induced or forced to have sex to gain access to water. Sex for water is unacceptable and must stop.

Climate change and environmental degradation exacerbate risks of violence against women and girls due to displacement, resource scarcity and food insecurity. (Source: UN Women)
A substantial proportion of all women in Africa, Asia and South America experience or know of cases of sextortion. (Source: WIN)

How can we tackle sextortion?

There are several ways to tackle sextortion:

Education: sensitisation and education on equal rights, sexual rights and gender-based violence can help prevent sextortion.
Legislation: the government can pass laws that specifically criminalise sextortion and protect victims.
Criminal justice: police and judges should protect victims of sextortion and bring suspects to justice.
Support for victims: victims of sextortion should have access to medical, psychological and legal help.
Cooperation: governments, NGOs, and the private sector can work together to tackle sextortion and protect victims.

It is important to remember that sextortion is a complex and global problem that needs to be addressed at many levels.

Does making more water available help?

In the fight against sextortion for water, making more water available is an important part. When women have access to sufficient, free or affordable and clean water, they are less dependent on men who force them to have sex in exchange for water. Improving access to water and sanitation is therefore an essential step in preventing and addressing sextortion. Moreover, it is an important means of meeting people's basic needs and improving their quality of life.

27% of the world's population does not have access to a safe drinking water supply: that is, a supply on site, available when needed and free from contamination. (Source: WHO)
Globally, 1.8 billion people live in households without a water supply in or near their homes. (Source: Unicef)
Women and girls are responsible for fetching water in 7 out of 10 households without their own water supply. (Source: Unicef)

Where does sextortion occur?

Sextortion occurs in many parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. It is a major problem in countries with poor infrastructure and difficult social conditions, where women are sometimes dependent on men for access to basic needs such as water, food and protection. It is a complex and widespread problem that requires governments, NGOs and society to work together to address it.

A substantial proportion of all women in Africa, Asia and South America experience or know of cases of sextortion. (Source: WIN)

What are you doing about this problem?

Simavi brings attention to this problem based on its own research in Uganda, Bangladesh and Nepal and by providing solid evidence of the root causes of violence against women and girls in the context of water and sanitation.

Prevention is a structural part of all the projects we work on. By ensuring that facilities are safe for women and girls, by ensuring that women can safely talk about what they are struggling with, by discussing gender roles at household and community level, and by ensuring that women and girls can say 'no' to sextortion.

We also work in all our projects to improve access to water. Because when women have access to sufficient and clean water, there is less risk of power abuse.

What can I do?

What can I do and how can I give financial support?

Simavi has launched a fund focused on local climate solutions: Water Justice Fund. By contributing to it, you make a difference in the daily lives of women and girls. Read more about Water Justice Fund here. If you want to donate right away, you can do so on our donation page.

Are there other ways I can support the campaign besides giving financial support?

Share the petition and our message. It is important that more Dutch people know and understand the global water crisis. So talk about it with your family and friends or share our message on social media.

Or participate! This year we will again organise Wadlopen voor Water, a challenging two-day trip through one of the most unique and beautiful areas in the world: the Wadden. Check out the Wadlopen voor Water website for more information.

What will Simavi do with the money raised?

With the money raised, you support Simavi's mission. We have been working since 1925 for water and sanitation and gender equality in several countries in Africa and Asia.

We work with partners in 10 countries in Africa and Asia on projects that support local solutions of women and girls so that they get access to water, a toilet and equal treatment.

Curious about our ongoing projects? Then take a look on our website.

Will my donation go to good causes?

We aim to spend at least 90 per cent of our income on our causes. Last year, 85 per cent went directly to our work for girls and women. The rest goes to marketing & fundraising and general organisational costs. Our finances are public and can be viewed in our Annual Report.

About Simavi

Why does Simavi focus specifically on women and girls?

Globally, women and girls are hit hardest by climate change and the lack of safe drinking water and toilets, for example because women and girls are often responsible for fetching water for the household. When water sources dry up, they have to walk even longer in search of safe water and are more at risk of violence and sexual extortion. Women and girls also have an extra need for clean water due to their menstruation.

In which countries is Simavi working?

As Simavi, we work with partners on climate change adaptation as part of our programmes. We do this mainly in countries where residents have few resources and in regions in Africa and Asia where the realisation of women's and girls' human rights in water and sanitation is most at risk. Simavi is currently most active in Bangladesh, Nepal, Kenya and Uganda.