Closure

News from the Thar Desert, December 2022

Dawn Flach

Empowerment of women and girls is an important part of our programmes.

Water safety training increases health awareness for women and their families. In this programme, all tanks are constructed in the name of the senior women of the household, immediately conferring social status.

Our local partner URMUL said that there has been ‘a sea change in the respect of society’s behaviour towards a family which owns a water tank.  Availability of water has boosted the self-image of the family’.

‘A water tank is investment for the future – for the family and for the community; everyone gets involved. We pay 75-80% of the cost in building materials and technical expertise; the family contributes labour and masonry work. Buying water over one year is similar to the contribution. A family will recoup this in the first year, enabling other priorities such as education’.

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