Women-Led Solutions Maximize Social Impact

Women are the most deeply impacted by the lack of access to clean water; unfortunately, they are also least likely to control or manage water infrastructure. According to a World Bank study, women make up only 18% of the workforce in the water sector globally. Women who manage clean water access through Umurage Growth's Women & Water Initiatives ensure the most vulnerable women and girls are no longer subjected to violence. Women & Water venture management inspires greater confidence, agency, leadership, community engagement, and a lifelong commitment to grassroots women-led change.

Women-designed water projects are often strategically placed to ensure maximal accessibility, reducing dangerous and long journeys for the most vulnerable. Time no longer spent by women and girls collecting water can also be invested in other income-generating pursuits. Reducing collection time also protects girls’ access to education, enabling the next generation even greater opportunities.

The World Health Organization and UN estimates that every $1 invested in water and sanitation yields an economic return of $4.3 and 1.5 percent increase in GDP through reduced health care costs and other benefits. Fee-based water enterprises, which sell water even at reduced market rates to help the economically vulnerable, can still provide women’s groups with a viable and sustainable income, and an opportunity to use profits to serve other community needs.