What’s the news?

• Water, a vital resource for life, is poised to play a central role in the transition to a green economy. This transition brings not only environmental benefits but also the potential to drive significant employment growth, particularly for women.

Central idea

• Water is essential for a green economy, offering immense potential for job generation, particularly for women. Women globally are pivotal players in water management, yet their expertise remains underutilized. As green jobs surge in India, how can women’s roles in water management be enhanced and recognized?

Backdrop

• Green Jobs in Water Management: These jobs contribute to preserving or restoring environmental quality. A promising estimate by the International Labour Organisation posits that jobs in this sector could escalate from 3 million (2020) to 19 million by 2030 in India.
• Water and Global Employment: A 2016 UN report underscores that nearly 1.5 billion people, or half the global workforce, are in water-related sectors. Water thus fosters both direct (managing resources, infrastructure, services) and indirect jobs.

Harse reality

• A World Bank evaluation of 122 water projects found that those involving women were six to seven times more effective than those that did not.
• Despite this evidence, women constitute less than 17 percent of the paid workforce in water, sanitation, and hygiene in developing economies, and women’s representation as technical experts remains disproportionately low.

The Role of Women in Efficient Water Management

• Household Water Management: Women are typically responsible for managing water within households. They oversee water collection, storage, and distribution for domestic use, ensuring a safe and sustainable water supply for their families.
• Community Engagement: In many communities, women actively engage in the management of communal water sources. They take the lead in maintaining these sources, making sure they remain accessible and functional for all community members.
• Agriculture: Women play a crucial role in agriculture, which is a major consumer of water resources. They are involved in activities such as irrigation, crop cultivation, and livestock care. Their knowledge of efficient water use is vital for agricultural sustainability.
• Environmental Stewardship: Women often act as environmental stewards, safeguarding local ecosystems, rivers, lakes, and forests. Their traditional practices and knowledge contribute to the preservation of water resources and the environment.
• Community Development: Women actively participate in community development projects related to water infrastructure, sanitation, and hygiene. They serve on water and sanitation committees, helping plan and implement projects that benefit the entire community.
• Innovative Solutions: Women frequently devise innovative solutions to address water-related challenges. They may create rainwater harvesting techniques, sustainable farming practices, or household-level water treatment methods, enhancing water resource management.

Unlocking Opportunities through Government Programs

• Traditionally, women’s involvement in water management has been limited to voluntary or part-time roles, often at the lowest level of decision-making.
• Recent government initiatives in India, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation, Atal Bhujal Yojana, and Jal Shakti Abhiyan, present an opportunity to expand women’s participation in water management and provide access to decent work.
• These programs prioritize community ownership and support both direct and indirect jobs.

The Potential of Jal Jeevan Mission

• The Jal Jeevan Mission, in particular, has the potential to generate a substantial number of jobs.
• A study by the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, estimated that the mission could create millions of person-years of direct and indirect employment, although gender-disaggregated data are lacking.

Way forward

• Addressing Skill Gaps and Capacity Building:
• Water management jobs require specific skills and training, yet there is often a gap between the skills needed and the expertise available.
• While some training programs exist for wastewater treatment and watershed management, they do not cover emerging employment opportunities in the water sector.
• Promoting Sustainable Employment:
• Despite robust policies for community participation, sustainable employment creation has been lacking.
• Investing in training women, providing access to finance, and leveraging self-help groups can foster women’s self-employment in water management, strengthening water security in both rural and urban areas.

Conclusion

• Government initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission are poised to unlock this potential. By addressing skill gaps and promoting women’s participation, India can not only create green jobs but also empower women in the vital task of water management, contributing to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

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