Addressing the Intersection of WASH, Gender, and Empowerment in Hyderabad’s Informal Settlements
The Untapped Potential of WASH Interventions to Drive Gender Equity and Community Empowerment
Hyderabad, the thriving capital of Telangana, India, is a city of stark contrasts. Gleaming high-rises and bustling tech hubs stand in stark juxtaposition to the sprawling informal settlements that house nearly 40% of the city’s population. Here, in these under-served communities, the lack of access to basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services imposes a heavy burden, one that falls disproportionately on women and girls.
The Gendered Realities of the WASH Gap
Across Hyderabad’s informal settlements, the consequences of inadequate WASH infrastructure are manifold. Without access to clean, reliable water sources, women and girls must devote hours each day to the arduous task of fetching water, often from distant and unsafe communal taps. This arduous chore not only robs them of time that could be spent on education, income-generating activities, or leisure, but also exposes them to the risk of harassment and assault.
Similarly, the dearth of safe, private sanitation facilities forces many to resort to open defecation, putting their health and safety at risk. The lack of menstrual hygiene management (MHM) resources further compounds the challenges faced by adolescent girls and women, limiting their ability to participate fully in community life during their monthly cycles.
These WASH-related burdens have far-reaching implications for gender equity and empowerment. By limiting the time, mobility, and opportunities available to women and girls, the urban services divide perpetuates systemic inequalities and undermines their potential to become active, productive members of society.
Unlocking the Power of Inclusive WASH Interventions
Recognizing the critical linkages between WASH, gender, and empowerment, organizations and local authorities in Hyderabad have begun to pioneer innovative, community-driven approaches to address these interconnected challenges. These initiatives demonstrate the transformative potential of inclusive WASH programming to drive lasting change.
Empowering Women as WASH Champions
In the informal settlement of Balapur, the non-profit organization Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT) has empowered women to become change-makers in their own communities. Through a combination of technical training, financial assistance, and community mobilization, MHT has enabled women to take the lead in improving WASH infrastructure and services.
“Before, we had to beg the municipality for basic services,” recalls Shanti, a resident of Balapur. “Now, we’re working alongside the authorities to plan and manage our own water and sanitation systems. It’s given us a sense of ownership and control over our lives.”
By fostering women’s leadership in WASH decision-making and implementation, MHT’s approach has not only improved access to essential services, but also catalyzed a broader transformation in gender norms and power dynamics within the community. Women who were once relegated to the sidelines now have a seat at the table, their voices heard and their needs prioritized.
Integrating MHM into WASH Programming
In the nearby informal settlement of Bapu Ghat, the non-profit Aakar Foundations has taken a holistic approach to addressing the WASH-gender nexus. Beyond improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities, Aakar has integrated comprehensive menstrual hygiene education and product distribution into its programming.
“Many of the girls in our community were forced to miss school during their periods due to a lack of proper facilities and information,” explains Reshma, a community health worker with Aakar. “By providing access to sanitary pads and teaching them about menstrual health, we’re empowering them to participate fully in their education and community life.”
This integrated WASH-MHM model has had a ripple effect, challenging taboos, reducing stigma, and fostering open dialogue around menstrual health. By elevating a topic that is often shrouded in shame and silence, Aakar’s interventions have enabled women and girls to reclaim their bodily autonomy and assert their rights.
Strengthening Community Resilience through WASH
In the face of climate change and environmental degradation, the need for resilient, equitable WASH systems has never been more pressing. In Hyderabad’s informal settlements, where communities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of flooding, droughts, and water scarcity, organizations like the Centre for Environmental Studies (CES) are harnessing the power of WASH to build community resilience.
CES’s initiatives in the informal settlement of Mustaidpura have focused on installing climate-adaptive water harvesting and sanitation technologies, while simultaneously empowering residents, particularly women, to manage and maintain these systems. By fostering a sense of collective ownership and agency, CES has strengthened the community’s ability to withstand and bounce back from climate-related shocks.
“When the rains come, our homes are often submerged, and we struggle to access clean water,” says Fatima, a resident of Mustaidpura. “But now, with the new rain- water harvesting and waste management systems, we’re more prepared. It’s given us a sense of security and control over our environment.”
Scaling up the WASH-Gender Empowerment Nexus
The innovative WASH interventions in Hyderabad’s informal settlements have demonstrated the transformative potential of addressing the intersections of gender, equity, and community empowerment. By placing women at the center of WASH decision-making and implementation, these initiatives have not only improved access to essential services, but also catalyzed wider social change.
As Hyderabad and other rapidly growing cities in India and the Global South grapple with the challenges of urban inequality, the lessons from Hyderabad offer a compelling blueprint for sustainable, inclusive development. By integrating a gender-responsive approach into WASH programming, local authorities and civil society organizations can unlock the power of communities to drive their own transformation, creating cities that are not only more livable, but also more just and equitable.
To scale up this WASH-gender empowerment nexus, several key actions are crucial:
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Mainstream Gender Equality into WASH Policies and Budgets: Local and national governments must ensure that gender considerations are systematically integrated into WASH policies, plans, and budgets, with dedicated funding streams and accountability measures to track progress.
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Empower Women as WASH Leaders and Decision-Makers: Community-based organizations and local authorities should actively recruit, train, and support women to take on leadership roles in WASH planning, implementation, and management, fostering their agency and influence.
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Integrate MHM into Comprehensive WASH Programming: WASH interventions must holistically address menstrual health and hygiene, providing access to products, education, and safe, private facilities to enable the full participation of women and girls.
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Strengthen Community Resilience through Gender-Responsive WASH: WASH programs should be designed with a climate change adaptation lens, leveraging community-led approaches to build the resilience of vulnerable populations, with a particular focus on the needs of women and girls.
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Foster Cross-Sectoral Collaboration and Knowledge-Sharing: Practitioners, policymakers, and researchers must work across disciplines to generate and disseminate evidence on the linkages between WASH, gender, and empowerment, informing more effective, integrated solutions.
By embracing these strategies, cities like Hyderabad can harness the transformative power of inclusive WASH interventions to advance gender equity, empower marginalized communities, and create a more sustainable, resilient urban future for all.
