What would you do?

I really liked this question you have posed - What would you do? Clean, flowing water; social spaces for women

We often tend to see development problems without the context of power relations they exist within. The "development" problem that the agency initially aimed to address was this - lack of water and the resulting additional work burden on the women of this community. However, the resistance of these women point to a bigger problem, a "social" problem - a lack of space for women to support each other while living in a society where they are the oppressed ones. 

I would suggest to find out if these women want some sort of "women center" in their community. They may want it but cannot justify it to the power holders in their community, because how can they tell them that they need to "get away from the men around them". At this point, the development agency can promote the idea of such a women's center in the name of "maternal health" or any such neutral topic which the community members may see as harmless to try.

In addition to medical help, such a center may also have counseling and legal help extended to the women who face domestic abuse, which could be a possibility given the women's suppressed condition. 

Sounds just like a scene out of WhiskeyTango Foxtrot, based on the memoir The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker

I will provide a social place for women and focus on their sexual reproductive health rights as well as maternal health because this will empower them and give them space to discuss their issues. And if funding will allow it will be great to provide water near that social centre so that the time they spend to go fetch water from far can be used to discuss their other unique issues or even start income generating activities which will be a great source of empowernment. With a source of livelihood even their husbands will apprecaite their contribution is household spending

Firstly we should assess the context: We need to ask questions to evenstart to think about decisions these will depend on all the local conditions 

Q: is this a society where women have Very limited access to social spaces. if so then taking away this function would mean some form of replacement. if this route is taken try a theatre intervention to gather information on creating alternative spaces.

If gathering water from down hill adds to a balanced exercise option not easily replaced and if the environment is highly restrictive then keeping the practice may work or finding alternative opportunities to maintain this healthy balance of excersise and social interaction will be needed.

If the water is not a healthy or a reliable supply the alternative piping would seem to be the better option.

Find out who else is determining the womens access to social spaces and work with them too to encourage creating more social spaces.

Do the water carrying work for at least a month with the women to see what it is like, for you but more importantly for them.

Part maximization of community infrastructure system without regard to whole existing social and economic system operation  is problematic.  Should convene the entire community to discuss implementation of a water, energy, and food sovereign infrastructure implementation approach such as River City to Hydrogen which operates in a whole community permission modality and brings water, energy and food self-sufficiency to a community.

Visit - http://dataspectrum.webs.com/  for more information.

Jasper Jones,   Executive Director  United Block Captains Association [UBCA] - Community Trust® (for family life improvement) Inc.;  Vice President 7000 Villagers  -  Pro Se, Attorney Qui Tam - False Claims Action hallmarked by disparate treatment of Citizens of Color in the[ School District of Philadelphia  [SDP];  UBCA  the River-City-to-Hydrogen (RCtH™) Dream-Team™-  Clean Development Mechanism [CDM] Promotion Project Developer Organization,; Data Spectrum Senior Consultant Engineer and Project Configuration Management Engineer;

 Ambassador  Of The Shaykamaxum Republic Government  - Jasper Jones Bey-Dr.M S S - Minister Of Education /Community Affairs/

88.1 FM WPEB, 95.1 W236CL Philadelphia, Broadcaster, Producer of the Community  Rebirth Organization Plan (CROP™) Neighborhood News Forum [CNN-FORUM]

Dear Warren,  (Below Refers to "What Would You Do?)

I believe this is when and where the true essence and roots of "Communication for Development" set in. As institutions and individuals, we often talk about involving communities as partners in development from the on-set BUT never really do!!!. We ignore the social dynamics that define this society to begin with.

In my country Zambia, a similar incident happened were a development agency observed that communities were still answering the call of nature in the bush. They sourced funds for modern ablution facilities. The community of Southern Province here in Zambia continued going to the bush!!!. What the development agency did not know was that for them it is taboo to release oneself in the same place as your father, mother, in-laws etc.

The biggest problem we have is that we often ignore that communities know what they need and would gladly guide us in development priorities that are not in conflict with their social and cultural norms. Development agencies often loose time and money focusing on problems that may not actually be "problems" at all.

So to answer your question, I believe the best practice to employ would be to introduce alternative solutions for safe drinking water that is drawn from its original source down the hill eg.  the use of chlorine. This will protect families from disease and will ensure social ties amongst women continue to grow.

The piped water can be diverted for agriculture purposes to benefit the very community. (This is the more reason why funders should try to be more flexible with financing protocals).

Regards,

Shula D Chikonde (Miss)

I would still retain the piped water project but introduce some other project along side it. Why? The women still need something that brings them together. I would engage some participartory communication on a topic of a project that would suit them after explaining to them  why they need the piped water. They could start an economic cooperative society where they put their produce togethr and market it as a group. That way they can still have that time alone as women, and yet still value the idea of piped water.

Hi Warren,

Thanks for sharing. (refers to What Would You Do?)

 
In my opinion, the development agency did a fantastic job by providing “piped water” but they seemed to have missed by ‘neglecting’ by act of omission or commission, the voice and endorsement of the men. In most cases, women household decision-making is hinged on the concurrence of men. Most of the women cannot take any decision affecting the household except with the expressed permission of their men.

 
Chances are that the approach by the development agency had worked elsewhere but fact is, what works in ‘community A’ does not necessarily work in ‘B’. It is always good to conduct a rapid assessment or quick anthropological study of the community – with adequate male engagement and align with the wishes of the project beneficiary – their hearts will be more endeared to the project if and only if the process is participatory. No community diagnosis would be good enough if the male folks are disfranchised or felt so.  With a deliberate strategic involvement and engagement of men, project ownership and sustainability would be guaranteed.

Thank you,

‘Sina 

 
Olusina O. Olulana | Deputy Project Director
Nigerian Urban Reproductive Health Initiative 2 (NURHI 2)  Project
Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CCP)