Pakistan is no stranger to the struggle for water. With water scarcity affecting nearly every household, particularly in rural areas, managing this precious resource has become more critical than ever. Women, who have long carried the weight of water collection, are at the forefront of this battle. These women—mothers, daughters, and grandmothers—often walk miles just to bring home enough water to sustain their families. According to a 2023 UNICEF-WHO report on water issues with a special focus on gender, in seven out of ten households without water supplies, the responsibility for water collection primarily falls on women and girls.

As the consequences of climate change intensify, Pakistan faces increased water stress, making the role of women in water management more essential than ever. The 2020 Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index report identified Pakistan as the 5th most susceptible nation to climate change, with water scarcity being one of the country’s most pressing issues. The situation is worsened by the marginalisation of women in crucial water management decisions. The 1992 Dublin Principles on Water Management emphasised the importance of involving women because there is mounting evidence showing that excluding women from water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) efforts is detrimental to effective water governance.

Today, these women are at the vanguard of rainwater harvesting initiatives, driving change and transforming their communities in the process. By harnessing rainfall, they are not just ensuring water availability, but are also laying the foundation for resilience in their villages.

These women-led initiatives go beyond water management; they symbolise hope, unity, and empowerment. As communities come together around these efforts, even the smallest actions can create ripples that lead to meaningful, long-lasting change.

As Pakistan faces intensified climate pressures, geographic, atmospheric, and hydrological changes in the Himalayan region, along with water cycle disruptions tied to the monsoon, threaten its

Why Rainwater Harvesting?

air, water, and future water balance. Rain-fed, coastal, metropolitan, and drought-prone areas across the country each present unique water, soil, and food challenges, worsened by the overuse and mining of groundwater. The complex relationship between groundwater and surface water remains poorly understood, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable water practices that can adapt to the country’s shifting environmental landscape.

Imagine a downpour, rain, which splashes, buckets and jars, the earth. This way, people in rural areas of Pakistan have been harvesting rainwater for many decades using rudimentary implements. Today, as the problem of freshwater supply grows more acute, this ancient custom has become a unique combination of a tradition and ecological approach to the problem that is so desperately needed by many people today.

Rainwater harvesting is straightforward—catching rain, storing it, and using it later. Yet, for families in dry regions, it means much more: access to clean drinking water, time taken to carry heavy containers, and also provision of water for crops. Every drop saved by these women also saves water, creates capacity, fosters the community, and ensures a heritage of sustainability. These women-led initiatives are inspiring the renaissance of traditional knowledge, helping to breathe new life into it, which is so necessary at the moment.

Transforming Communities, One Drop at a Time

The Hisaar Foundation has made a substantial impact on water security in Pakistan, especially by involving women in innovative, community-focused initiatives. Through its Women and Water Networks, the foundation has empowered women to play active roles in managing water resources and promoting sustainable practices.

In the arid Thar region, Project Aab e Thar focuses on both water and food security, building rainwater harvesting ponds, deep wells, and hand pumps to ensure year-round water access.

In Chakwal District, the Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) has also made significant strides by providing targeted rainwater harvesting training to female farmers. The training focuses on enhancing agricultural sustainability among women farmers in Pakistan. Through this effort, these women have been able to avoid reliance on scarce water sources and build food security for their families and societies.

Moreover, a study by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) demonstrates the viability of rainwater harvesting in the arid parts of Pakistan, and how the traditional techniques when supplemented with modern technology can be most efficient. According to IIED evidence, rainwater harvesting projects, especially those initiated and implemented by the communities, especially women, benefit the local water supply, lessen the burden of work, and enhance community health. Women in the Sindh and Balochistan provinces have independently installed rainwater tanks and have been able to sustainably implement minor rainwater harvesting systems for their households due to water scarcity.

Persistence in the Face of Adversity

According to the World Economic Forum's Global Gender Gap Report of 2022, Pakistan ranks near the bottom in terms of gender parity, making it difficult for women to access essential resources and opportunities in areas such as climate policy and water conservation.

Formal institutions often fall short in providing women with necessary support—such as education, healthcare, and financial resources—while societal norms continue to reinforce traditional roles, sometimes promoting gender-based discrimination and limiting women’s engagement in fields like climate resilience and water management.

unpaid and lack ownership over land and resources. Given their extensive engagement in climate-affected sectors like agriculture and water management, women face unique challenges, including increased labor demands, risk of exploitation, and limited access to climate adaptation tools. However, their traditional knowledge of local water management practices and their role as "environmental custodians" demonstrates a powerful potential to drive sustainable change. Efficient utilisation of women’s various roles in policy decisions on natural resource management will serve as a mechanism for enhancing climate resilience in Pakistan and hence benefit the vulnerable human and natural resource base.

Despite these barriers, women contribute significantly to water conservation and climate adaptation, especially in rural communities where their involvement is crucial. Women in Pakistan's agricultural sector, for example, make up a substantial part of the workforce but are often

Rainwater harvesting in Pakistan not only preserves water but also helps women as they become involved in society's decision-making process thus breaking the culture of patriarchy and giving women an opportunity to be involved in the governance of their local communities.

In addition to water conservation, female participation in these projects empowers their gender to increase agricultural yields, food security, and economic returns for their households, as well as health improvement through access to clean water and reduction of water-borne diseases.

By participating in environmental conservation activities, women become agents of change and a source of emulation to the younger people. Despite challenges in formal governance, many women have found new opportunities in NGOs and poverty alleviation initiatives, offering a chance to harness their skills for building resilience to climate change.

Empowerment and Community Resilience

The Green Climate Fund Policy recognises the importance of integrating gender equality in climate change projects, ensuring they are more sustainable and equitable.

Women-led rainwater harvesting projects in Pakistan have been effective in changing the water supply and enhancing people’s lives. These women have emerged as important ‘water custodians’ helping to ensure that water is used and shared in a sustainable manner, a factor that improves the overall well-being of the whole community. These endeavors help to deliver cleaner water, improved health, and more stable economic returns and prove that solutions that are inclusive of women are vital to addressing climate change.

We must support and recognise these women, who are leading the charge for environmental sustainability in their communities. Addressing water scarcity is not just an environmental issue but a matter of survival and social justice. By educating ourselves and supporting local efforts, we can help break the generational cycle of water collection burdens, creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all.

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