a similar result holds for groundwater the intergovernmental panel on climate change reported in its assessment that it is virtually certain that climate change will reduce renewable water resources substantially in most dry subtropical regions resulting in scarcity of drinking water and biomassbased fuels many of these regions lie in subsaharan africa and other less developed parts of the world where women and girls already spend considerable time each day in meeting these requirements for their homes should there continue to be a lack of relevant infrastructure or more equitable sharing between men and women climate change will further reduce choices for women paid work provides economic autonomy along with opportunities for participation and social interaction as well as for enhancing skills and capabilities helping boost selfesteem and confidence