CASE
Empowering voices of women and girls in Thar
Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS), 2024
Languages
English, Hindi
Tags
Women entrepreneurs, Self-reliance , Women empowerment, Rainwater harvesting, Water conservation
Countries covered
India
Geographic area
The Thar Desert region of Rajasthan, India

Communication product

Communication products developed to present the case to the target audience. These may be videos, presentations, documents or other relevant formats.

Cultivating Hopes is a documentary and compilation of grassroots evidence to support the case

CASE DETAILS

STATEMENT

If women and young girls have increased access to traditional means of water conservation and moisture retention, then they will save on time, energy and effort. This will improve their physical and mental health, enable them to explore and acquire new skills, gain confidence in undertaking income-generating activities and contribute to the betterment of themselves and their household. 

TARGET AUDIENCE

Women and girls in the Thar Desert. 

TARGET AUDIENCE'S PRIORITIES AND VALUES

Women and young girls spend less time, effort and energy in procuring water from far off sources for drinking and domestic purposes, they have additional time and energy that can be directed towards taking care of themselves, their families, gaining new skills, augmenting household income and improving their overall confidence.

FRAMING OF THE ARGUMENT

Women and young girls were encouraged to observe the changes in their routine, in terms of time allocated for domestic chores including procurement of water, improvements in their physical and mental health owing to reduced drudgery and enhanced opportunities available for acquiring vocational skills and augmentation of family income. A comparative analysis for this purpose was drawn using case studies, testimonials, success stories of studies conducted previously by GRAVIS as well as those emerged from field visits conducted as part of developing this evidence-based case.

STRATEGY

A comparative analysis of the time used, skills gained, improvement in physical and mental health of the women and the young girls is demonstrated. Information for this was gathered through testimonials, interviews and focus group discussions with the women and young girls.

CALLS TO ACTION

Women and young girls can demand/seek opportunities to acquire vocational skill sets.

CLAIMS AND EVIDENCE

This section contains each claim made by the case, along with the evidence provided to prove that claim. Evidence may be first or second hand, include any combination of qualitative and quantitative data, and can come from a variety of sources.

If women and young girls have increased access to traditional means of water conservation and moisture retention, then they will save on time, energy and effort
EVIDENCE

Young girls like Barju have started going to school after having water conservation at home. She and many other girls are contributing their saved time in studying. 

Women and girls participating in intergenerational learning group meetings in their time gained after adopting Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) at home. 

Sources
Cultivating Hopes is a documentary including this evidence. The story of Barju is also part of the documentary.
See section communication products for source details.
Increased access to traditional means of water conservation and moisture retention will improve their physical and mental health, enable them to explore and acquire new skills, gain confidence in undertaking income generating activities
EVIDENCE

Women and girls participating in intergenerational learning group meetings in their time gained after adopting Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) at home. 

Sources
Documentary video on Rainwater Harvesting (RWH) technologies changing lives of women and girls. They are participating in intergenerational learning groups.
Increased access to traditional means of water conservation and moisture retention contribute to the betterment of themselves and their household
EVIDENCE

Woman Water Champion Naktu Devi is a resident of Bhojo ki Bap village in Phalodi district, Rajasthan. Naktu belongs to a poor scheduled tribal community living in the remote drought-prone area, afflicted by acute water shortage and lacking means of livelihoods. She became a member of a self-help group (SHG) in the village and motivated many women as well as community members to preserve rainwater and work towards ensuring water and food security in her village. Naktu is still the voice of women in her village and surrounding areas. She has set an example for women from marginalized communities who wish to come forward for their rights and wellbeing. The model she has demonstrated is a sustainable drought mitigation approach implemented in many villages spread across the Thar desert in India ensuring secure livelihoods with adequate food, water and income for communities. 

Sources
A video is attached narrating Naktu Devi’s story of evolution.

OTHER DETAILS

Photos

Bhanri Devi after adopting rainwater harvesting is utilizing her saved time in income generation activities and acquired new skill.

Bhanri Devi after adopting rainwater harvesting is utilizing her saved time in income generation activities and acquired new skill.

Barju after having rainwater harvesting tank at home has sufficient time to go to school. She is utilizing her saved time in studying and her drudgery is significantly reduced.

Barju after having rainwater harvesting tank at home has sufficient time to go to school. She is utilizing her saved time in studying and her drudgery is significantly reduced.

Raveena and many other girls are relaxed from water fetching drudgery and going to school regularly.

Raveena and many other girls are relaxed from water fetching drudgery and going to school regularly.

Naktu Devi is an active member of a self-help group (SHG) and a self reliant woman.

Naktu Devi is an active member of a self-help group (SHG) and a self reliant woman.

Leading organisation

lead-org-logo
Name
Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS)
Website
Contact
Rahul Mishra | rahul@gravis.org.in