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Water Security Provides Opportunity for Indian Women & Girls in Rajasthan.

“Worldwide, women and girls spend 200 million hours or more collecting water every day.”

-UNICEF Estimate as of 2016

Water Security

The solution to water scarcity is simple—Build and repair rainwater catchment systems to provide easy access to water for village residents. Water security eliminates the need for women to walk for water and opens up a world of opportunity for her.

Since implementing these water security solutions, over 300,000 hours of walking have been saved each year. This time previously spent walking can now be used for health and hygiene, education, and economic development.

Water security has an incredible impact in the Thar Desert.

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Taankas: A 20,000 Liter Water Storage Tank

Taankas are simple rainwater catchment tanks that give back hours of time to women and girls. Taankas harvest rainwater through special collection techniques, providing households with water for up to 6 months. Taanka ownership has a profound impact on household health, hygiene, and overall quality of life.

“Now we do not have to get water from far off places. This burden exhausted my entire body. We used to fetch water ten times a day, and occasionally fifteen.” -Sughna, Nayagaon

Taankas: A 20,000 Liter Water Storage Tank

Taankas are simple rainwater catchment tanks that give back hours of time to women and girls. Taankas harvest rainwater through special collection techniques, providing households with water for up to 6 months. Taanka ownership has a profound impact on household health, hygiene, and overall quality of life.

“Now we do not have to get water from far off places. This burden exhausted my entire body. We used to fetch water ten times a day, and occasionally fifteen.” -Sughna, Nayagaon

Khadin: A Rainwater Harvesting System

Khadins preserve surface runoff that can then be used for farming. They are built as long earthen embankments placed below slopes to capture excess rainwater. The retained groundwater increases agricultural harvest yield.

Agriculture is a major source of income for communities in rural Rajasthan. Khadins not only contribute to the health and yield of harvests but also to the income generation and overall livelihood of communities. Where water flows, communities thrive.

WomenServe partners with communities to provide comprehensive training on the use and maintenance of Khadins to ensure the greatest benefits.

Naadi: An Oasis in the Desert

It only rains for one month out of the year in Rajasthan. A Naadi, also known as a village pond, is a traditional water-harvesting technique that collects and stores this rain for year-round consumption. Naadis provide water security for the village and its livestock.

Although Naadis have existed for centuries in the Thar Desert, maintaining them became less common over time, leading to the degradation of the ponds. When a Naadi is not maintained or de-silted, the pond loses its ability to store rainwater over long periods of time.

The WomenServe team works alongside communities to provide guidance and support in desilting and reinvigorating unmaintained Naadis.

Naadis that are well-maintained can provide surrounding communities with a sustainable source of water for a full year.

Naadi: An Oasis in the Desert

It only rains for one month out of the year in Rajasthan. A Naadi, also known as a village pond, is a traditional water-harvesting technique that collects and stores this rain for year-round consumption. Naadis provide water security for the village and its livestock.

Although Naadis have existed for centuries in the Thar Desert, maintaining them became less common over time, leading to the degradation of the ponds. When a Naadi is not maintained or de-silted, the pond loses its ability to store rainwater over long periods of time.

The WomenServe team works alongside communities to provide guidance and support in desilting and reinvigorating unmaintained Naadis.

Naadis that are well-maintained can provide surrounding communities with a sustainable source of water for a full year.

Gardens

Our partners teach women to plant gardens right at home, using their taankas to water them. These gardens complete the holistic water systems that empower women to have more time, nurture themselves and their families, and pursue more opportunities to improve their lives.

estimated hours of walking saved in 2020

Naadis (rainwater catchment ponds) built since 2009

Taankas (rainwater catchment tanks) built since 2009

school and community toilets built

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