Novel action research project empowers marginalised communities in Sumbawa

A man holds a microphone and points to displayed poster paper in front of a group of people who are standing facing him in a room. One lady stands with the aid of crutches. They are participating in Integrated Water Management training for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and women's organisations as part of the project.

Integrated water management training for Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and women's organisations (IWM Forum / Fahrunnisa)

A novel action research project has successfully intersected gender equitable and socially inclusive practices with integrated water management (IWM) to strengthen climate resilience in marginalised communities in Sumbawa, Indonesia.

Supported by the Australian Government through a Water for Women Innovation and Impact (I&I) grant, the Integrated Water Management Action Research project involved collaboration between Yayasan Plan International Indonesia, Plan International Australia and the Monash Sustainable Development Institute to establish an inclusive IWM forum and agenda that promotes universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in Sumbawa.

Prior to the project, Sumbawa lacked a cross-sectoral forum on IWM, resulting in fragmented water resource management efforts. Moreover, marginalised groups were not considered in water resource management projects. The project sought to address these gaps and achieve sustained benefits beyond the project's lifespan.

The project incorporated a two-phased research program; the first focused on research establishment and the second on action research. An IWM framework with a GESI lens was developed, and a political economy analysis undertaken to identify priorities, challenges and opportunities for GESI-IWM in Sumbawa. The GESI-IWM Forum was subsequently established in Sumbawa through collaborative efforts among stakeholders. Co-production and testing of a GESI-responsive IWM framework were conducted, accompanied by regular bilateral meetings and workshops to enhance capacity development and ownership of the IWM strategy.

"Persons with disabilities need to be involved in the IWM forum because they also have the same rights as non-disabled people, I am very happy to be directly involved in the IWM Forum."

- Representative of an organisation of persons with disabilities

The project not only established a functional Gender Equitable and Socially Inclusive-IWM (GESI-IWM) forum with the endorsement and commitment of district, regional, provincial and national-level agencies, but has also strengthened IWM stakeholders’ GESI knowledge and skills and provided valuable insights and tools for IWM for all involved. Additionally, women and persons with disabilities have experienced increased agency to advocate for their WASH rights in water planning and management stakeholder forums.

Members of the Integrated Water Management Forum board and Sumbawa University representatives stand together outside a university building looking towards the camera and smiling.

"Nusa Tenggara by nature is a medium/small island, which has an impact on the discharge and spatial distribution of water. In addition, the geomorphology of the islands, which are dominated by volcanic soil and coral soil, are difficult to bind water, and the climatological drought is due to the dominance of the dry season. This situation puts Nusa Tenggara (including Sumbawa) at risk of water scarcity. In theory, there are three categories of risk reduction strategies in the management of natural resources (including water resources). Biophysical strategies, environmental and socio-economic cultural strategies and institutional strategies including governance (IWM)."

- Ludji Michael Riwu Kaho, Lecture Nusacendana University - IWM Forum

Broader WASH sector contributions

The project's impact has sparked innovation in Sumbawa's water planning context and set the stage for continued development and strengthening of GESI-IWM. Ongoing support is necessary to ensure the realisation of desired outcomes for gender and social inclusion in water planning and management.

The project's knowledge sharing and engagement activities primarily focused on IWM sector actors and key stakeholders in Sumbawa, with representatives from governmental agencies, non-governmental organisations, universities, women's groups, and disability advocates among those to participate in workshops aimed at capacity building and co-designing a GESI-responsive IWM agenda. However, a literature review, political economy analysis, and GESI-IWM learning brief from this project share key insights and learning widely. The research findings are also to be presented at a Global Water Partnership national WASH sector forum in Jakarta later this year.

The project’s impact on policy and practice in Sumbawa has been significant, particularly in relation to climate resilience and GESI priorities in the face of climate change. The now established GESI-IWN forum is supporting an integrated approach to planning that addresses the limitations of siloed decision-making processes in water management. It is also fostering a community-wide vision for resilience and liveability, considering climate change impacts and the associated ecological and public health challenges.

This project is testament to the power of inclusive and integrated approaches to water management. By prioritising gender equality, social inclusivity, and climate resilience, it has paved the way for a more sustainable and equitable future in Sumbawa's water planning and management processes. The findings are also now informing Plan International’s Water for Women project, Climate-Resilient and Inclusive WASH in Indonesia.

Other learning and knowledge from the project:

Above: IWM Forum Board members meet with Sumbawa University representatives to build commitment for the GESI-IWM Forum (Yayasan Plan International Indonesia)