Women living in river basins are dependent on rivers for several reasons, that includes drinking water, irrigation, and other forms of livelihood. However, women have limited control over the resources, they are dependent on and are impacted by the water induced disasters, living in a constant fear of loss of lives and properties.
With the belief that empowering these women can eventually change their lives in a positive way, creating a forum for the women where they are able to raise issues with the concerned stakeholders, demanding action, is therefore, one of the major components of the TROSA project. Women need to be better informed and be involved in opportunities for transboundary water dialogues and decisions making because they are the ones impacted the most by transboundary water management issues.
When the water governance policies and practices are implemented with agreed transboundary commitments, and where there is political will and authority within governments and private sectors to meaningfully engage women in water governance, it will create an enabling environment for greater inclusion of women’s voices.
When the basin communities, especially women have increased access to, and control over, riverine water resources it will ultimately contribute to reduce poverty and marginalization and they can realise their basic human rights. Achieving transformation in women’s roles in governance and management of water and natural resources mean that the change can be sustained for future generations too.
You can read their stories here.