1. Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)
(An initiative of the S.M. Sehgal Foundation)
Inclusion & Empowerment for Women-led Water Management
Salahuddin Saiphy
Program Leader- Water Management
IRRAD, Gurgaon
Together, We Empower Rural India
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

2. Women face the brunt of water problems
Drinking water sources
Limited water sources
Water contamination
Large family sizes School drinking water tank Wastage of water supply
Institute Of Rural Research & Development toilets
Village streets School Women drudgery
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

3. Women drudgery
Over-burdened
Apart from handling household chores, cattle and agricultural works, they
also spend hours for collecting water from distant sources.
Consequence
• Loss of productive working hours
• Girls skip school & loose study hours
• Negative impact on health
• Dignity/safety/security at stake
• Loosing income generating jobs
• Limited participation in village development
If women, the primary water user, not involved in water management
its sustainability can’t be ensured.
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

4. A snapshot of ‘mission- water collection’
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

5. IRRAD’s interventions targeting women drudgery
Most of the water management interventions of IRRAD address the issue of
women drudgery but specially to mention:
 Water supply reservoir
 Rainwater harvesting
 Wells/ hand pumps/ proper stand posts
 Groundwater augmentation
 Awareness, training & empowerment
Photo: Women collecting water from their household
rainwater harvesting tank
Photo: Hand pump with proper
platform and waste water
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
management system
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

6. Water supply reservoir: Min. wastage, max. gain
Objective
• Ensuring 24 hr availability
• Equitable distribution
• Minimize wastage
• Avoid contamination
• Resource conservation
(water, energy, time etc.)
Photo: Wastage of precious resource
Photo: Time also wasted while waiting for their turn
Institute Of Rural Research & DevelopmentPhoto: Freedom from time bound water collection
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

7. Rooftop rainwater harvesting in schools
• Harvested rainwater served 325 students &
teachers of Patkhori school.
• Water availability improves school
attendance specially for girls.
• Current students strength is 480
Photo: Wall painting of RWH system
Pre-
The model is being filter
replicated: Bio- Storage
• Haryana- 501 schools sand
Tanks
25000 ltr
• Chattisgarh- 25 Filter
Filter
Ashrams /hostels Soak Soak
Pit Pit
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

8. Creating fresh water pocket in saline GW zone
TDS of groundwater: 1700 mg/l
TDS of RWH pocket: 52-67 mg/l
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

9. Low cost, local & simple solutions for water purification
Bio-sand filter
washed sand
5 cm (2”) below
water level
1/8” dia holes
Objective: Safe drinking water at 1”x1”
interval
Manufactured by: Locally
available material & artisans
5 cm (2”)
support layer
What all it can filter:
• Suspended particles Diffuser plate 5 cm (2”)
• Bacteria under drain
• Iron/arsenic gravel
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

10. Steadily changing the scenario…
These interventions coupled with others are bringing the change:
 Improved access and availability of water
 Saving productive hours
 Increase in girls’ school attendance
 Curtailing the health risk
 Women utilizing time saved for productive activities
 Women started talking about water management
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

11. Women empowerment on water management issues
The task is not as simple as it should be
due to various factors.
Challenges
1. Neglected
2. Lack of time
3. Hesitant
4. Male dominance
5. Decision making
Opportunities
1. Interest as the primary water user
2. Acquainted with problems &
solutions
3. Get attention if they stood up
4. Enthusiastic
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

12. Empowering “Mahila Jal Prabandhan Samiti”
Photo: Meeting with MJPS in Mundaka Photo: Meeting with MJPS in Maroda
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

13. Women empowerment……..
What? How? Action?
• Preparing a platform • FGD • Discussing issues at
• Situation realization • Meetings community level
• Identify problem areas • VHSC/SMC • Fixing responsibilities
• Identify probable • Trainings • Targeting
solutions • Motivation o Sanitation & hygiene
• Follow up o Plantation
o Drinking water
1. Village becoming waste water free
2. Close to full coverage of latrines
RESULT 3. Plantation in village
4. Meeting with PHED engineers, ADC & DC for providing
water supply in village
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

14. Mundaka experiencing a change…..
Photo: Village streets full of waste water Photo: After construction of soak pits/ soak wells Photo: Latrine construction by villagers
Good progress in Maroda and Chahalka preparing the ground for similar change.
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

15. Focus of IRRAD’s water interventions
1. Availability
Replenishing GW through Check dams, nallah bunds, gabions, recharge wells, soak
wells, ponds, reviving traditional structures etc.
2. Access & equitable distribution
Water supply reservoir, drinking water wells, hand pumps, proper stand posts etc.
3. Household water sources
Improving household water storage through RWH tanks, storage & usage practices.
4. Safe drinking water
Promoting water treatment through bio-sand filters, SODIS, disinfection etc.
5. Waste water disposal
Safe disposal of waste water through soak pits, soak wells, soak trenches etc.
6. Training and empowerment
Water literacy, training & empowerment of communities for water sustainability.
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

16. A glimpse of IRRAD’s water interventions
Check dams/nallah bund/LSS /culverts – 67
RWH models – 69
Recharge wells – 47
Soak pits/Soak wells – 1778
Stand posts/Taps – 276
Wells (D/water) – 12
Hand pumps – 68
Bio-sand filters – 184
Rainwater harvesting tanks - 15
Rejuvenation of traditional structures – 29
Catchment area treatment – 390 hectares
Community awareness / trainings – apx 335/y
Aravali forest rejuvenation through social fencing
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)

17. Water management strategy
 Mass recharging of fresh GW aquifers
 Creating fresh water pockets in saline GW aquifers
 Creating surface water sources in saline GW zones
 Promotion of safe drinking water
 Safe disposal of waste water
 Promotion of water efficient agricultural practices
 Awareness & sensitization programs
 Empowering local communities on water management issues
 Continue research on innovative water management models
 Joining hands with interested partners for replication of successful models
Institute Of Rural Research & Development
(An initiative of S M Sehgal Foundation)
Institute of Rural Research and Development (IRRAD)