Women and microfinancing of water and sanitation in communities with expanding population in Nigeria

This paper discusses the efforts of the Women Associations in Obizi communities of Awka South Local Government Area, Nigeria, in mobilizing funds for loan to their members for the expansion of Water and Sanitation services. These Associations provide credit services on loan basis to their members to engage in only Water and Sanitation businesses so as to reduce the gap in demand and supply existing in the sector among the Households of the area as a result of continuous population increases and to aid benefiting women generate income to their families. Findings indicate that this funding method has proved successful in expanding the sector access as well as generating income to the Households. It is, therefore, recommended that the model could be scaled up to cover other local communities in South Eastern Nigeria as the entire region has almost the same culture and tradition.