Posted: 21/03/2011
Water is a basic requirement for all life, yet water resources are facing increasing demands from, and competition among, users. In 1992, the UN General Assembly designated 22 March of each year as the World Day for Water. This year the focus for World Water Day is Water for the Cities: Responding to the Urban Challenge. As cities and urban populations grow around the world, supplies of water increasing are becoming a global concern.
This is the first time in human history that most of the world's population live in cities: 3.3 billion people and the urban landscape continues to grow. 38% of the growth is represented by expanding slums, while the city populations are increasing faster than city infrastructure can adapt. The objective of World Water Day 2011 is to focus international attention on the impact of rapid urban population growth, industrialization and uncertainties caused by climate change, conflicts and natural disasters on urban water systems.
In Delhi's slums, the daily routine often revolves around water. It is not uncommon for residents to wait up to 3 hours a day for a few buckets from water tankers. If there are pipelines, the water delivered is usually too contaminated for drinking, a large contributor to high rates of water-bourne diseases in the slums.
In Asha slums, women's empowerment groups have conducted grassroots advocacy and successfully petitioned the government to install adequate water supply pipes and water pumps. In addition they spread awareness in the community on water safety. As a result, health has improved and tensions over lack of water resources in the slum have decreased considerably.
Please support World Water Day this year by donating to Asha's empowerment programme as local people rise to meet the challenges of urban development in the 21st century.
Return to more recent news articles
Getting involved with Asha was a turning point in my life. I became part of the women's group where I realised that there were other women like me, and we can be listened to and our views consulted. The confidence I gained has given me strength to help so many people.
Noorjahan, CHV and midwife, Seelampur
