Working With Communities
Over 2 billion people live in water stressed countries. Climate change is making water scarcity worse- and poor communities, particularly women and girls, are paying the price. We work with local partners to trigger social justice and improve water security for all.
Women take the lead on campaigning, Tanzania
Our partners in Tanzania have been training women in communities across Dar es Salaam, Morogoro and Dodoma to understand their water rights, and building their campaigning and media skills so they can harness the power of the media to share their stories and experiences on water related issues, and put pressure on local authorities and businesses to act. When women are able to take a more proactive role in water management, better outcomes are achieved for all.
“Before, duty bearers were very slow to respond and take appropriate action. After learning to use media to raise our issue, it creates a sense of urgency and increase the pressure on duty bearers to act quickly.” - Participant in Shahidi wa Maji training
Tea farmers take control of water resources, Malawi
Water stewardship allows communities to take control of their resources and preserve them for sustainable use in the future. In Malawi, our team has been working with the Thuchila Tea Association (TTA) and the Sukambizi Association Trust (SAT) to help smallholder tea farmers build their technical skills in water stewardship- supporting them to identify water risks to their farms, and develop appropriate solutions. As a result, 32,000 people have improved their water security.
“The water stewardship approach with Water Witness is good. We all have a better understanding of how to address the challenges we have.” - Sukambizi tea association member