Water for Women - India

Transforming WASH services and systems for climate-vulnerable marginalised communities

From 2023 to 2024 Water for Women partnered with CFAR to deliver climate-resilient and socially inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to reach 101,801* through ‘Building Climate-Resilient WASH for Climate-Impacted Vulnerable Populations’ in Bhubaneswar and Jaipur. This project was an extension of CFAR’s Phase 1 project (2018 to 2022) which reached 473,442* people. CFAR’s Water for Women project finished delivery in December 2024.

Partner: Centre for Advocacy and Research, India

Locations: Bhubaneswar and Jaipur, India

Focus areas: Inclusive community-led development, cross-sector collaboration, partnerships and capacity-building, sustainable social accountability mechanisms

The Centre for Advocacy and Research (CFAR) supported transformative change for the most marginalised of marginalised communities living on the front lines of climate change across 215 urban informal settlements (slums) of Jaipur and Bhubaneswar, India.

During the Water for Women Extension Phase (2023–24), CFAR’s project achieved significant milestones in advancing climate-resilient, inclusive WASH systems. Notable achievements include climate-resilient upgrades to WASH infrastructure, such as elevated toilets, stormwater drains, and solar-powered water filtration plants across 126 settlements, benefiting 31,866 individuals. Capacity-building initiatives saw 1,169 individuals from marginalised groups participate in training, which fostered inclusive leadership in WASH governance. The use of community-led tools like Saniclimiwall public dashboards and Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) platforms enhanced real-time service tracking and resolution, addressing more than 87% of WASH grievances and improving service delivery for 33,000 individuals.

Additionally, partnerships with municipal bodies facilitated the institutionalisation of climate-resilient practices, leading to a 45% reduction in waterborne diseases and greater resilience to climate events. Key factors enabling progress included active community participation, multi-stakeholder partnerships, and data-driven planning. However, challenges like the resource-intensive nature of technological interventions posed barriers. Ensuring sustainability required embedding inclusive practices into governance frameworks and securing municipal support for resource-intensive activities like desludging and water filtration.

Sadhbhish and Tarini, Caller Club member recording a podcast on climate preparedness (Amarjeet Kumar Singh, Anindito Mukherjee for CFAR Archive)

 

Over the seven years of Water for Women, CFAR contributed towards improved access to climate-resilient and inclusive WASH for some 575,243 people. An additional 35,769 people indirectly benefitted from CFAR's project. During the final two year Extension Phase, the project reached 101,801* people directly. 

Community-led resilience building

At the ward-level, capacity development initiatives supported by CFAR show significant promise. The Deputy Commissioner of the BMC announced plans to expand the civil protection volunteer network that was established to support community emergency responses. In recent emergencies, including local fires and Cyclone Remal, which hit the Eastern Coast, the community demonstrated resilience. Around 265 civil protection team members (135 from Bhubaneswar, 130 from Jaipur) were trained by expert agencies such as the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), Disaster Management and Relief Department (DMRD) Rajasthan, Department of Disaster Management Relief and Civil Defense (DMRCD), Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and St John Ambulance, and certified by urban local bodies. Participants included members of Slum Dwellers Associations, sanitation sub-committees, and Resident Welfare Associations, and represented people with disabilities, the elderly, sexual and gender minorities, women’s self-help groups, scheduled tribes and scheduled castes.

"Sustainable solutions must come from the community itself."

Mr. Shishir Das, State Head, Jaga Mission, Odisha

The civil protection network initiative led to the establishment of a City Disaster Response Unit (CDRU) in Bhubaneswar, which created inter-departmental communication and established a WhatsApp group to enable real-time updates. The Janhit-Vaani Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) established with support from CFAR is also used to disseminate preparedness information widely. Similarly, in Jaipur, the Jaipur Vaani has been integrated with DMRCD for timely updates and responses during disasters, while the civil defence team connects communities with the department using digital tools and weather-related content.

A transwoman from Kalinga Studio Kinner Basti, Ward 23, Bhubaneswar, cleans the Water Kiosk premises at Gopabandhu Park as a part of her daily routine. She is one of the members who is responsible for managing six Water kiosks in Bhubaneswar (Amarjeet Kumar Singh, Anindito Mukherjee for CFAR Archives)

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CFAR also supported community engagement initiatives, such as the government’s Mission LiFE under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) scheme, to promote environmental sustainability and community responsibility. A total of 1,169 individuals were trained in climate resilience, focusing on localised solutions, water quality testing, early warning systems via IVRS, and WASH monitoring. These initiatives positively impacted vulnerable groups, including Indigenous people, sanitary workers, women and girls. The leadership of women and transgender persons in community efforts strengthened Mission LiFE and demonstrated inclusive governance. Examples include women-led micro composting centres for solid waste management and transgender-led faecal sludge and septic management (FSTM) enterprises.

“Collaborating with CFAR, the transgender community drives climate-resilient water, sanitation, and health initiatives. We utilize organic manure from Faecal Sludge Treatment Plants and employ cesspool vehicles, implementing a vermifiltration-based solution. Managed by transgender human resources, this comprehensive approach not only fosters sustainable waste management but also boosts livelihoods and urban household hygiene.”

Ms. Meghna Sahoo, Chairperson of Third Gender Welfare Trust

The adoption of mobile-based technology strengthened communication between communities and service providers, enabling WASH-related community feedback as well as service requests. Community members, who formed the ‘Caller Club’ and were supported with training, made a total of 18,750 calls on behalf of residents to assist with service issues within their communities from January 2023 to December 2024. Women led participation (with 10,419 calls) and provided most feedback (5,610 calls). A total of 8,517 water-related feedback/grievances were received, of which 4,550 (53.4%) were addressed, benefiting 8,696 people. Some 6,767 sanitation-related feedback/grievances were recorded, with 4,783 (70.7%) addressed, benefiting 5,883 individuals. Hygiene-related feedback/grievances accounted for 2,783 calls, of which 2,739 (98.4%) were resolved, benefiting 898 people. The urban local body, PHED, and Watco responded positively to online grievances, collaborating with residents to resolve issues and educate them on infrastructure maintenance.

“Before the Saniclimiwall, we didn’t know which officers to contact and had to visit departments to find out. Now, the wall clearly displays who is responsible for water, sanitation, the community organiser’s details, and key information like the number of households, those practicing waste segregation, and those with piped water connections.”

Ms. Laxmipriya Lenka, President, Slum Development Association (SDA), Bhubaneswar

In Jawahar Nagar, the Saniclimi wall is updated by a member of the Single Window Forum (CFAR archives)

Empowering partnerships to bridge systemic gaps

During CFAR’s seven-year journey with Water for Women, and particularly from 2023 -24, partnerships between the WASH system and marginalised communities increased, driven by impending national and state elections. With strengthened collaboration came community empowerment. Caller club members acted as liaisons between the community and urban local bodies, ensuring marginalised voices were heard and addressed. Feedback loops were established for ongoing issue reporting and discussion of new challenges arising from adverse weather and climate conditions, showcasing how collective action can enhance WASH resilience. These initiatives bridge systemic gaps and represent a significant shift towards inclusive governance by ensuring marginalised voices shape development agendas at all levels.

A notable achievement was redefining resource allocation and fostering inclusivity across caste, class, religion, and gender. These efforts demonstrate the potential for communities to become key players in the climate-resilient WASH ecosystem.

“In our SDA there are five members, and I am the only woman in a leadership role. However, we face no issues—decisions are made collectively. Our group includes one person with a disability and one elderly member, whose concerns are addressed first. The SDA and SHG are often seen campaigning together on various issues."

Ms Namita Sahoo, President, Bhubaneswar SDA

Lessons learnt

Combing traditional knowledge and technology can increase impact

The project demonstrated that integrating traditional knowledge with innovative practices, such as solar-powered filtration plants, elevated toilet and water taps, and community-led waste management, can amplify impact. Context-specific, data-driven approaches should be led by communities, including the most marginalised groups (women, people with disabilities, older people, and sexual and gender minorities) in shaping sustainable practices.

Collaborative partnerships enhance efficiency and effectiveness

The project also marked that community-led governance and inclusive planning are critical to achieving climate-resilient, inclusive WASH systems. Cross-sector collaboration with urban local bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and community organisations enhanced resource efficiency and policy influence, as evidenced by the statewide adoption of Gender and WASH modules in Rajasthan.

A member of the Single Window Forum for people with disabilities counts pads for the Jamdoli pad bank in Jaipur (CFAR archives / Amarjeet Kumar Singh / Anindito Mukherjee)

Looking ahead

“Lessons learnt emphasised the importance of inclusive designs, collaborative partnerships, and robust monitoring systems. Moving forward, strengthening community-led governance structures and aligning local policies with climate-resilient WASH objectives will be vital for sustaining these achievements.”

CFAR

The future of climate-resilient, inclusive WASH presents both opportunities and challenges that require strategic engagement from all stakeholders. CFAR’s goal is to institutionalise climate change awareness across all levels of governance, particularly among mid-level officials and frontline stakeholders, where understanding of understanding of impacts on the WASH system and broader effects on health and livelihoods is limited.

A key opportunity exists to integrate solid and liquid waste management and climate change awareness into stakeholder operational frameworks. Clearly defined responsibilities across urban local bodies, sanitation workers, and communities can enhance resilience and inclusivity. Initiatives like the Union Government’s Mission LiFE under the AMRUT provide a strong foundation for this.

"Planners must understand the full spectrum of disabilities and ensure that toilets are accessible and inclusive, accommodating the challenges faced by persons with disabilities."

Dr. Bharti Khunteta, Director, DISHA, Rajasthan

Integrating traditional knowledge with innovative practices, empowering marginalised groups and embedding climate consciousness into education and practices can ensure long-term sustainability. For instance, CFAR’s participatory planning reached 403 women and marginalised leaders, enhancing their roles in climate-resilient WASH. Multistakeholder forums will continue to play a vital role in strengthening collaboration and ensuring equitable resource prioritisation.

“The government is continually striving to build a strong community interface in all its programs. We must develop strategies and actionable systems to make WASH services more resilient, thereby supporting the most vulnerable in the community.”

Suvendu Kumar Sahoo, Additional Commissioner, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation

Without strengthening community capacities and agency, the formalisation of systems risks creating rigidity and distrust. This 'tyranny of the system' can undermine the trust and collaboration that have been integral to CFAR’s success. CFAR plans to integrate the stakeholders and processes that have been championed throughout the seven years of Water for Women into ongoing initiatives across various regions. By enhancing cross-learning mechanisms and embedding team members into social inclusion programs, CFAR aims to institutionalise these approaches, ensuring that the lessons and relationships developed during the project continue to shape climate-resilient, inclusive WASH systems on a broader scale.

*Phase 1 beneficiaries were calculated from those who achieved WASH access. Extension Phase beneficiaries were calculated from those who achieved WASH access as well as climate change outcomes. Totals were determined based on outcomes reported by individual projects. See Our Impact.

Feature photo: A cesspool vehicle is moving through a settlement in India. The cesspool vehicle provides safe mechanised desludging at the doorstep (Amarjeet Kumar Singh, Anindito Mukherjee for CFAR Archives)