In the bustling lanes of India’s urban slums, women are often seen juggling multiple roles—caregivers, breadwinners, and community leaders. Yet, despite their resilience, many women in these areas face significant challenges in accessing basic services and securing sustainable livelihoods. For instance, did you know that in India alone, nearly 70% of urban poor women lack access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities? This statistic underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions that address the specific needs of these women, not just in India, but also in neighboring Nepal and Bangladesh. Since 1994, the Mahila Housing Trust (MHT) has been on a mission to empower these women through grassroots development. Central to our success has been the strong partnerships we’ve forged over the years—partnerships that have been instrumental in improving women’s health and supporting women in livelihood across South Asia.

The NGO’s Role in Partnerships for Women’s Empowerment

At MHT, we believe that true women empowerment is a collective effort. Our strategy has always been to engage with a diverse range of partners—local governments, and community organizations—to ensure that the voices of women community leaders are heard and acted upon. One of our most impactful partnerships has been with the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC). Through this collaboration, we were able to implement a city-wide sanitation campaign that not only provided access to clean toilets for thousands of women but also employed many of them as sanitation workers, thereby supporting their livelihoods.

Another significant collaboration was with the Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA), a women’s trade union that shares our vision of women empowerment through grassroots development. Together, we launched a microfinance initiative that provided women in slums with access to small loans, enabling them to start their own businesses. This partnership not only empowered these women economically but also strengthened their roles as leaders within their communities.

Advancing Access to WASH Services

Access to basic services such as water, sanitation, and hygiene is a fundamental right, yet it remains out of reach for many women in urban poor communities. The lack of these services disproportionately affects women, as they are often the primary caregivers in their families. In collaboration with WaterAid India, MHT launched a program aimed at improving access to clean water in urban slums. This initiative included the installation of community water taps and the establishment of water committees led by women. These committees not only manage the water resources but also educate their communities about water conservation.

In the realm of healthcare, our partnership with local health departments has been pivotal. Through joint efforts, we have organized health camps focused on maternal health, nutrition, and disease prevention. One of our notable projects was a maternal health initiative in the Dharavi slum of Mumbai, where we provided prenatal care and education to over 5,000 pregnant women. This project significantly reduced the rates of maternal and infant mortality in the area.

Promoting Climate Resilience Through Partnerships

Climate change presents a significant threat to the livelihoods of women in urban poor communities. Floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events can devastate the fragile economic stability of these women, particularly those engaged in informal work. Recognizing this, MHT has partnered with environmental organizations like the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) to promote climate resilience in vulnerable communities.

One of our most impactful initiatives has been the development of climate-resilient housing in the flood-prone areas of Kolkata. By collaborating with local architects and engineers, we designed homes that can withstand severe flooding. These homes not only provide safety and security for women and their families but also include rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels, making them sustainable and self-sufficient. This project has been so successful that it is now being replicated in other flood-prone areas across South Asia.

In addition to housing, our work with the CSE has included training women to become community climate leaders. These women are now leading efforts in their communities to implement water conservation practices, adopt renewable energy, and prepare for climate-related disasters.

Deepening Participatory Governance

For true women empowerment to occur, women must have a voice in the decisions that affect their lives. MHT has long advocated for the inclusion of women in community planning and decision-making processes. Through our partnerships with local governments, we have facilitated the formation of women’s groups that are actively involved in governance.

One of the most successful examples of participatory governance is our work in the city of Surat. Here, we collaborated with the Surat Municipal Corporation to establish women-led neighborhood committees. These committees meet regularly to discuss issues related to housing, sanitation, health, and education, and they have been instrumental in advocating for better services from the local government. For example, one committee successfully lobbied for the construction of a health clinic in their community, which now serves hundreds of women and children every month.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Building and maintaining partnerships is not without its challenges. One of the most significant hurdles we’ve faced is the initial resistance from some local governments and community leaders who were hesitant to involve women in decision-making processes. Overcoming this resistance required persistent advocacy and demonstrating the tangible benefits of women empowerment to the broader community.

Another challenge has been ensuring the sustainability of our initiatives. While partnerships have enabled us to achieve significant short-term successes, maintaining these successes in the long term requires ongoing support and engagement from all stakeholders. One lesson we’ve learned is the importance of capacity building within our partner organizations and the communities we serve. By providing training and resources, we ensure that the women and communities we work with can continue to thrive even after our direct involvement ends.

Expanding Impact to Nepal and Bangladesh

While our work began in India, we have successfully expanded our reach to Nepal and Bangladesh, adapting our model to the unique challenges faced by women in these countries. In Nepal, our partnership with the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET) has been crucial in addressing the housing needs of women affected by the 2015 earthquake. Together, we have provided safe and resilient housing for women and their families, helping them rebuild their lives in the aftermath of disaster.

In Bangladesh, we’ve partnered with BRAC, one of the largest NGOs in the world, to improve access to clean water and sanitation in flood-prone areas. This partnership has not only improved living conditions for thousands of women but has also empowered them to take on leadership roles in disaster preparedness and response. These cross-border collaborations have been instrumental in scaling our impact and ensuring that more women across South Asia have the opportunity to lead healthier, more secure lives.

Conclusion

The success of Mahila Housing Trust in improving women’s health and livelihood through grassroots development is a testament to the power of partnerships. Through strategic collaborations, we have empowered women community leaders to take charge of their environments, ensuring sustainable development in urban poor communities across India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. However, there is still much work to be done.