Women Making a Difference

Hawa Nakanwagi Brings Sustainable Sanitation to Kyansi

Cluster members involved in water tank construction activities. Source: UWESO

In rural Ugandan communities, women play a key role in local water management. They have considerable knowledge of sources of water, its quality, availability, and conservation techniques. In the past, water management schemes largely excluded women. However, this is starting to change.

The Uganda Women's Efforts to Save Orphans (UWESO), a Ugandan nongovernmental organization (NGO), has given women in Masaka district the opportunity to promote sanitation in their communities through construction and management of rainwater harvesting (RWH) facilities. The women's construction skills were improved through a variety of methods that included workshops, demonstrations, role plays, exchange visits, and open discussions in small and large groups.

Hawa holding a shovel at the construction site. Source: UWESO

Hawa Nakanwagi, a member of the UWESO Kyansi Cluster in Masaka, took part in the design and construction of the water tanks.

"In the beginning, I questioned my ability to undertake construction work, but because I knew this was to help provide clean water for our community, I actively took part in the demonstrations," Hawa said. "I learned to mix concrete and prepare a mould for the Ferro cement/masonry rain water harvesting tanks. These tanks are easy to maintain and have been proven to last for many years. We also plastered and fit the tanks with plastic roofing ourselves."

Because of her exceptional skills and abilities, Hawa was elected as a team leader for the Kyansi Cluster Construction Committee. As a leader, Hawa supervised the water tank construction activities and also trained community women in construction skills such as cement mixing. In addition, she mobilized community members to actively participate in the different stages of the construction process and helped them understand the importance of having clean water.

Working hand-in-hand with the technical teams, the women have constructed 60 Ferro cement/masonry rainwater tanks for households headed either by children or the elderly. Households affected by HIV/AIDS that are not connected to local authority water and sanitation networks have also benefited from the women's efforts.

Women like Hawa have worked hard to improve access to clean water, hygiene, and the general health status of communities. As a result, the incidence of opportunistic infections among people living with HIV/AIDS and waterborne diseases among orphans have decreased.

Different Cluster members involved in water tank construction activities
Source: UWESO

Story provided by the Uganda Women's Efforts to Save Orphans (UWESO)

>>> Read more stories from the Women Making a Difference in Global Health Series