Empowering Frontline Communities for Equitable WASH Services
Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services is a fundamental human right, yet millions of urban residents in Hyderabad, India, continue to face unacceptable gaps in service delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these inequities, with low-income informal settlements bearing the brunt of the crisis.
“Without reliable water and sanitation, how can we protect ourselves from disease? Our children are falling sick more often, and we worry about their health every day.” – Meena, resident of Banjara Hills informal settlement, Hyderabad
Frontline WASH workers, often from the same marginalized communities they serve, play a vital role in bridging this urban services divide. However, they frequently lack the resources, training, and institutional support needed to effectively advocate for and deliver equitable WASH services. Empowering these frontline champions is key to unlocking transformative change in Hyderabad’s informal settlements.
This article explores innovative strategies to strengthen the capacity of frontline WASH workers, drawing insights from successful models in other Indian cities as well as global best practices. By investing in these community-based changemakers, Hyderabad can accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for universal access to safe water and sanitation.
Understanding the WASH Challenges in Hyderabad’s Informal Settlements
Hyderabad, the capital of Telangana state, is home to over 10 million people. Like many rapidly growing cities in India, Hyderabad has experienced a proliferation of informal settlements, where an estimated 35% of the population resides. These settlements, often located on the urban periphery or in environmentally fragile areas, lack access to basic WASH infrastructure and services.
“In my community, only 1 in 10 households has a private toilet. The rest rely on shared or community toilets that are often unsanitary and unsafe, especially for women and girls at night.”
– Lakshmi, community health worker, Rajendra Nagar informal settlement, Hyderabad
Key WASH challenges in Hyderabad’s informal settlements include:
Limited Access to Safe Water: Many households rely on shared public taps or water tankers that provide intermittent, poor-quality water. Residents pay high prices for bottled water or spend hours each day queuing for water.
Inadequate Sanitation: Open defecation and the use of shared, poorly maintained toilets are common. Sewage often flows untreated into local waterways, posing grave health risks.
Poor Hygiene Practices: Low awareness of handwashing and menstrual hygiene management, coupled with the lack of soap and water, undermines community health.
Environmental Degradation: Improper waste management, water pollution, and lack of drainage systems exacerbate flooding and the spread of waterborne diseases.
Disconnected from Service Providers: Residents of informal settlements frequently face barriers to accessing municipal WASH services due to lack of land tenure and documentation.
These pervasive WASH gaps entrench poverty, undermine public health, and jeopardize the city’s environmental sustainability. Transforming this reality requires empowering frontline WASH workers to advocate for their communities’ needs and collaborate with local authorities.
Elevating the Role of Frontline WASH Workers
Frontline WASH workers, often drawn from the same low-income communities they serve, are essential bridges between informal settlement residents and local government. They include community health workers, sanitation workers, water operators, and community organizers. Despite their vital contributions, these frontline champions frequently lack the resources, training, and institutional support to fulfill their roles effectively.
“As a community health worker, I’m the first point of contact for families facing WASH challenges. But I have limited knowledge and tools to properly diagnose and address their needs.”
– Lakshmi, community health worker, Rajendra Nagar informal settlement, Hyderabad
To empower frontline WASH workers in Hyderabad, a multi-pronged approach is needed:
1. Provide Comprehensive Training and Capacity Building
Frontline workers require specialized training to develop technical skills in areas such as water quality testing, toilet construction, and hygiene promotion. They also need capacity building in community organizing, advocacy, and negotiation to effectively engage with local authorities.
Organizations like the Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT) in Gujarat have successfully implemented training programs that equip community health workers with the knowledge and tools to improve WASH conditions in informal settlements. Similarly, the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) in Delhi has trained community youth as “waterpreneurs” to monitor water quality and promote water conservation.
2. Foster Collaborative Partnerships
Frontline WASH workers are most effective when they can leverage partnerships with local government agencies, civil society organizations, and community-based groups. These collaborations facilitate information sharing, resource mobilization, and joint problem-solving.
In Pune, India, the Shelter Associates NGO worked closely with the municipal corporation to map informal settlements, identify WASH gaps, and co-create upgrading plans with residents. This collaborative approach helped secure government funds for infrastructure improvements.
3. Strengthen Community Mobilization and Advocacy
Empowered frontline workers can mobilize their communities to collectively advocate for improved WASH services. By amplifying the voices of marginalized residents, they can hold local authorities accountable and influence policy decisions.
The Slum/Shack Dwellers International (SDI) network has demonstrated the power of community-led data collection and advocacy. In Kibera, Nairobi, SDI affiliates worked with residents to map sanitation facilities and negotiate with the water utility to expand services.
4. Ensure Adequate Resourcing and Recognition
Frontline WASH workers often operate with limited budgets, equipment, and institutional support. Securing sustainable funding streams, providing necessary tools and infrastructure, and formally recognizing their contributions can enhance their effectiveness and job satisfaction.
In Hyderabad, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) could explore models like Bangalore’s “Respectful Sanitation Workers” program, which offers livelihood support, skill training, and social security benefits to sanitation workers.
Catalyzing Citywide WASH Transformation
By empowering frontline WASH workers, Hyderabad can unlock a virtuous cycle of improved service delivery, community engagement, and local accountability. This, in turn, can catalyze broader transformative change throughout the city.
When frontline workers are equipped with knowledge, resources, and collaborative partnerships, they can:
-
Enhance WASH Service Provision: Frontline workers can directly deliver or coordinate the delivery of essential WASH services, ensuring equitable access in informal settlements.
-
Strengthen Community Resilience: Empowered communities actively engaged in WASH issues are better prepared to withstand shocks like disease outbreaks or climate-related disasters.
-
Foster Transparent Governance: Frontline workers can serve as watchdogs, monitoring service quality and holding local authorities accountable.
-
Drive Policy and Budget Reforms: Community-based advocacy can influence WASH policies and redirect municipal budgets to prioritize the needs of the under-served.
-
Encourage Innovative Solutions: Frontline workers, embedded in their communities, are well-positioned to identify context-specific WASH challenges and co-create sustainable solutions.
By investing in frontline WASH workers, Hyderabad can catalyze a citywide transformation towards more equitable, resilient, and sustainable WASH services. This approach aligns with the city’s commitment to the SDGs and the broader vision of the Swachh Bharat Mission for urban India.
Conclusion: A Call to Action for Hyderabad
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of universal access to WASH services, especially in marginalized urban communities. In Hyderabad, empowering frontline WASH workers presents a strategic opportunity to bridge this divide and build a more inclusive, healthy, and environmentally sustainable city.
Joint Action for Water and its partners call on the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, civil society organizations, and community leaders to come together and:
-
Establish Comprehensive Capacity Building Programs: Develop training curriculums and provide continuous support to equip frontline WASH workers with technical, advocacy, and community mobilization skills.
-
Cultivate Collaborative Partnerships: Facilitate meaningful engagement between frontline workers, local government, and other stakeholders to foster joint problem-solving and resource sharing.
-
Strengthen Community-Led Monitoring and Advocacy: Support frontline workers in amplifying community voices, documenting WASH challenges, and holding authorities accountable.
-
Ensure Adequate Resourcing and Recognition: Secure reliable funding streams, provide necessary tools and infrastructure, and formally acknowledge the vital contributions of frontline WASH workers.
By investing in these community-based champions, Hyderabad can accelerate progress towards the SDG targets for universal access to safe water and sanitation. This is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic pathway to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable city for all.
Joint Action for Water stands ready to support Hyderabad’s efforts to empower frontline WASH workers and transform the urban services landscape. Together, we can realize the promise of water and sanitation for every resident of this dynamic metropolis.
