Bundelkhand's water crisis has put women on the frontline

The water crisis in Uttar Pradesh's Bundelkhand is a long-standing and deeply entrenched issue that affects nearly every aspect of life in the region. The region is characterised by frequent droughts, irregular rainfall and severe groundwater depletion. These environmental challenges are worsened by deforestation, unplanned urbanisation and poor water governance.

As a result, rivers and ponds that once sustained villages often run dry, particularly in the scorching summer months. Agriculture, the mainstay of the local economy, has been severely impacted, pushing many families to the brink of poverty or forcing them to migrate in search of livelihood. Within households, the burden of this water scarcity falls disproportionately on women and children.



It is primarily women who are responsible for collecting water, often waking up before dawn and walking for hours to distant water sources, especially during peak summer when local wells and handpumps fail. This daily chore is exhausting and time-consuming, consuming much of their day and physical energy. For young girls, the responsibility of fetching water often interferes with their education, as they are required to assist their mothers or take on the task themselves.

This perpetuates cycles of limited education and reduced opportunities for women and girls in the region. The situation also exposes them to considerable physical and social risks. Long walks to isolated locations mean that women and girls face dangers ranging from animal attacks to harassment.

The physical strain of carrying heavy water containers over long distances contributes to long-term health problems, particularly among older women. Despite the increasing awareness of these gendered impacts of water scarcity, many government interventions have yet to fully address the specific challenges women face, and sustainable, community-led water solutions are still not widespread enough to make a lasting difference..