A Study on the Relationship Between Water Consumption and Gender Identity in the Context of Ecofeminist Debates

Water is a natural resource that interrelated with gender identity. Women need more water because of gender-based roles, they are more open to water-related problems, and gender-based differences in sustainable use of water are some of these dimensions. In this study, the dimensions of the relationship between gender identity and water consumption were examined. The study area is Bahçelievler district, which has the highest population and water consumption amount in Balıkesir city for 2018. 10 women and 10 men, who work or reside in Bahçelievler neighborhood, were interviewed based on a semi-structured interview form. Interview texts were analyzed by discourse analysis. The study concluded that women are positioned as “consumers” in water consumption because of their gender-based roles. But their consumption related to maintain the reproduction of the family and their water savings are through which these. In this regard, the findings of the study point to the relationship between the secondaryization of women and nature and gender-based differences in sensitivity to nature.