Time savings from easy access to clean water: Implications for rural men's and women's well-being

Individuals may have different perceptions of how development interventions meet their well-being. Using the Volta Rural Water Supply project in Ghana as a case study, it was found that women and men were able to save considerable amount of time by having easy access to clean water through the project, and also uses of time saved corresponded to their well-being indicators. Women, more than men, spent their saved time on activities that provide common benefits to the entire household. It is recommended that a balance of economic opportunities for both men and women, fee breaks and in-kind purchase of water, be encouraged in order for water projects to effectively advance rural people's well-being.