Social Action For Clean Water

Subramanian Lalitha Training Officer cum Assistant Professor,

Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

Government of India, Sriperumbudur 602 105 Tamil Nadu, India

lalli136@rediffmail.com +91 09884379410

Social WorkIt is the professional activity of helping individual, groups, or communities

Enhance or restore their capacity for social functioning and creating societal conditions favorable

It is practiced through various methodsSocial Action is one of the methods of social work

Social ActionIt is a process to mitigate or eliminate social problems and bring about social consciousness and collective action

It aims to achieve social progress, to modify social polices and to improve social legislation and health and welfare services.

It strives to reallocate socio-political power and find meaningful ways to contribute to society as valued human beings.

Drinking water is a Social Problem and demands Social

ActionSocial problem is a condition or group of conditions in society needs mitigation or elimination through collective action.

Water scarcity is viewed as one of the social problems and that questions human dignity and right to life.

Social action method is required to bring attitudinal change among the communities using empowerment-based practice

Water – A basic Human Rights

Water is one of the basic amenities shared for fulfilling daily needs.

Access to safe water is viewed as a basic Human Rights.

UN Human Rights Council (Sep 2010) affirmed the right to Water and Sanitation

The human right to water entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and affordable water for personal and domestic uses.

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Access to clean water and sanitation as a human right essential for the full enjoyment of life (UN General Assembly, 2010)

Now water is becoming as a scarce resource

Unfortunately it is commoditized and un affordable to the Poor and the marginalized communities and they become victims of unsafe water.

DUBLIN PRINCIPLES - 1992

Fresh water is a finite and valuable resource.The development and management of our water resources should be based on a participatory approach.

Women Play a central role in provision, management and safeguarding of water resources (like Eve gave the apple)

Water has an economic values/Impact.

NATIONALWATER POLICY (NWP) - INDIA

Water is “ a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset” (NWP, 2002)

“Access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation should be regarded as a right to life”. (Draft NWP 2012)

WATER PER CAPITA AVAILABILITY IN INDIA – Rural and Urban Divide

Government of India norms for piped water supply in towns, cities and rural areas are as follows;

Towns without sewerage – 70 lpcdCities with sewers/proposed – 135 lpcdMega cities with sewers/proposed – 150 lpcd

Rural areas – 40 lpcd (litre per capita day)

Purpose Quantity (LPCD)Drinking 3Cooking 5Bathing 15Washing utensils & house 7

Toilet 10

Factors hinders access to safe water in INDIA

Poverty / Illiteracy lack of awarenessExcessive use of ground Water InequityLack of community participationWater pricingWater contaminationClimate change/global warmingUn hygienic (water handling) practicesDeficiency in Water conservation/harvesting

practices/poor storage facilitiesAmbiguity in the policies and plans

Drinking Water Issues in Tamil NaduTamil Nadu is a perpetual water scarce state and depends on ground water/deep bore well

It has 33 river basins but are short and carry water seasonally

80% use only tap water.Lack of awareness on water sustainability and participation of the communities

Poor water handling practicesDifficulties in water supply and distribution (vested interest)

Steps taken by the Tamil Nadu Government to address drinking water issues

It has become an election agendaWater harvesting programmes (initiated by CM, Tamil

Nadu)Water Desalination Plants-34 NosWomen’s participation in local governance and

Empowerment through PRIs (water governance and water auditing)

Combined Water Project (in Ramanad District)Renewal of water bodies through MGNREGSAwareness on Water handling Practices (personal hygiene

through IEC/cleaning OHTs/Chlorination

Need of social work intervention

Though the government implements a lot programmes but still become failure due to lack of community participation.

A professional social worker can understand community dynamics, identify their demands and will ensure informed participation of the stake holders.

Serves as a mediator/catalyst between the people and the government for policy formulation and reforms in the institutional set up.

Social Action: As a method for clean water

To emphasize on importance of water , right to access safe water and water handling practices.

To motivate the deprived and the marginalized to obtain their rights to promote self-dignity and transformed order in the society.

To ensure equity and sustainability in water supply and distribution using tactics and strategies to call public attention.

To involve CBOs/civil society and women’s participation.

Strategies used by social workers in Social Action method

Consultation, discussions/deliberations, advocacy/ lobbying, public interest mobilization, capacity building. and demonstration for collective actions.

It requires exceptional qualities like commitment to goals, cohesion and risk taking behaviors like Medha Padkhar ji.

ROLE OF A SOCIAL WORKER TO ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF POOR AND MARGINALIZED TOWARDS CLEAN WATER

Enabler, Facilitator, Mediator, Analyst, Coordinator, Catalyst, Negotiator, Advocate,

Change agent and Activist

“SOCIAL ACTION is an appropriate method to be used to empower the community to obtain their rights to clean water to bring reform in the existing social structure, to ensure comprehensive governance, to uphold equity and justice in water supply and distribution”

THANK YOU