Women's participation strengthens NGO projects

Although community participation in projects in Sri Lanka has existed for a long time, women usually had a peripheral status, not as the decision makers or workers. Cultural and traditional practices as well as the women's own\AB beliefs and conditioning made it difficult to actively involve women in water and sanitation projects. Health clinics for children were set up by several NGO's to make contact with rural women, who, once at the clinnic, were\AB invited to listen to illustrated talks, see posters and flash cards and watch skits dealing with the topics of health, water and sanitation. The Girl Guide Association also developed contacts with rural women, enlisting their\AB help on well and basic toilet site location, construction and management. Five years later the toilet superstructures were somewhat shabby, but clean and fly free. Women's participation in a Sarvodaya handpump project began\AB with young unmarried girls, then young married women; thereby releasing the men from the recurring minor repairs necessary to keep the pump in working order. Among projects now carried out by women are health education,\AB management of sanitation projects, construction supervision and extension work.