Anurag Yadav
During a visit to a sun-scorched village in Rajasthan last year, I met Rekha, a woman who radiated determination. As a Jal Sakhi—a water friend—she led her community in building a farm pond to capture rainwater, transforming barren fields into productive farmland. Rekha’s story, part of my exploration during the Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship (EPAYF) 2024 with IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, captures the heart of a quiet revolution: women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs) empowering communities to secure a water-secure future. Across India, these groups are tackling water scarcity, fostering resilience, and redefining community-led environmental action.
The Stakes of Water Scarcity
The water issue in India is severe. Groundwater levels are falling as a result of climate change, overexploitation, and inadequate management, putting over 600 million people under high to severe water stress. The effects are severe in rural areas where water is essential for livelihoods—failed crops, arduous water-gathering journeys, and stressed households. However, despite these obstacles, communities are coming up with solutions under the direction of women’s self-help groups (SHGs) through programs like the Jal Sakhi program, which is a component of the Jal Jeevan Mission. These organizations are demonstrating how collaborative efforts may result in long-lasting change by fostering hope and agency in addition to managing this issue.
How SHGs Empower Communities
SHGs, typically 10-20 women strong, have long been platforms for economic empowerment. Now, they’re environmental powerhouses. The Jal Sakhi initiative trains women to monitor water quality, manage village water systems, and lead conservation efforts like rainwater harvesting and watershed management. By placing communities at the center, SHGs foster ownership, equity, and sustainability. My research into Jal Sakhi programs in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan revealed three ways they empower communities:
- Collective Resource Management: SHGs involve villagers in planning and maintaining water infrastructure from soak pits to check dams, ensuring solutions fit local needs.
- Awareness and Behavior Change: Jal Sakhis educate communities on water-saving practices, curbing wasteful habits like over-irrigation.
- Inclusive Leadership: By amplifying women’s voices, SHGs challenge traditional norms, ensuring diverse perspectives shape water governance.
These efforts align with national goals like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan and global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for clean water and gender equality.
Stories of Transformation
In Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand, a drought-prone region, Jal Sakhis have turned the tide. In Mauranipur village, a group built a community soak pit, reducing its wastage and recharging groundwater. They also manage pipelines, collecting fees that fund maintenance and provide stipends, boosting economic independence. Watching these women work, I saw how their leadership inspired trust, uniting villagers around a shared goal.
Jal Sakhis collaborated with the Aga Khan Foundation to restore historic water features in Khandwa, Madhya Pradesh. They supported more than 500 homes by raising groundwater levels by 30% over two years by building check dams and desilting ponds. As underrepresented groups participated in decision-making, community ties were strengthened, and this was about more than just water.
Rekha and other Jal Sakhis are in charge of watershed projects in Barmer, Rajasthan, where desertification is a threat. They have constructed farm ponds and anicuts, increasing water availability by 25%, and have received training in basic hydrological mapping. Villagers now view water conservation as a shared duty as a result of these initiatives, which have revitalized agriculture and inspired pride.
Why Community Empowerment Works
SHGs succeed because they’re rooted in local realities. Women, who often bear the brunt of water scarcity, bring unmatched insight and commitment. Their campaigns—door-to-door talks, village meetings—shift mindsets, making conservation a community priority. By fostering inclusivity, SHGs ensure no one is left behind, from small farmers to landless laborers. As Rekha told me, “When we work together, water isn’t just saved—it’s shared.”
This model has ripple effects. Empowered communities are more resilient, better equipped to face climate challenges. They also influence policy, as grassroots successes inform programs like the Atal Bhujal Yojana. Yet, challenges persist, threatening to slow this momentum.
Hurdles to Overcome
Jal Sakhi initiatives face real obstacles. Funding is a constant struggle—nominal stipends and limited budgets restrict project scale. In Rajasthan, for example, farm pond projects stalled due to a lack of funds. Technical training is another gap; while Jal Sakhis master basic skills, advanced tools like GIS mapping remain out of reach, limiting their impact on complex issues.
Socio-cultural barriers also loom large. In some villages, patriarchal attitudes undermine women’s authority, making it hard to enforce decisions. Policy gaps don’t help—weak coordination between national missions and local governance leaves SHGs navigating a maze of bureaucracy. During my fieldwork, a Jal Sakhi shared her frustration at delayed approvals for a check dam, highlighting how systemic issues can stall progress.
Building a Water-Secure Future
To empower communities further, we need bold action. Here are five policy recommendations:
- Enhance Training: Expand Jal Sakhi programs to include advanced skills like water quality testing and hydrological modeling, equipping women for bigger challenges.
- Secure Funding: Introduce sustainable models, like government-backed stipends or revolving funds, to support SHG projects long-term.
- Strengthen Policy Links: Integrate SHG efforts with national frameworks like the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, ensuring scalability and support.
- Shift Norms: Launch campaigns to challenge gender biases, building community backing for women leaders.
- Monitor Impact: Create robust systems to track outcomes, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
These steps can amplify SHGs’ impact, making water security a reality for millions.
A Call to Action
The Jal Sakhi initiative shows what’s possible when communities lead. From soak pits in Uttar Pradesh to farm ponds in Rajasthan, these women are rewriting the story of water in India. They’re not just conserving resources—they’re building resilience, equity, and hope. As part of my EPAYF journey, I’ve seen how grassroots action can spark systemic change, inspiring policies and mindsets alike.
For India to achieve a water-secure future, we must invest in community empowerment. SHGs offer a proven model, blending local wisdom with collective strength. The next time you see a thriving village with flowing water, look for the women behind it—Jal Sakhis like Rekha, proving that empowered communities are the key to a sustainable tomorrow.
About the contributor: Anurag Yadav is a 2nd-year undergraduate student in Delhi with a passion for environmental issues. He recently spent a week living with a tribal family, where he witnessed how the women of the community held a central role in maintaining ecological balance. Their traditional practices, from sustainable farming to resource management, were not separate from their daily lives but were, in fact, integral to them. It was a powerful demonstration of how closely intertwined the fates of women and the environment truly are – a living testament to the principles of ecofeminism. He is a fellow of EPAYF 2.0 – Environment Policy and Action Youth Fellowship, Cohort 2.0.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
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Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Khushboo Dandona, a research intern at IMPRI.
