The topography of many areas in Kabale district is hilly with no water sources making it difficult for many people to access gravity flow water. Therefore, Rainwater harvesting continues to be a reliable method of providing access to clean water for many communities, particularly those located in hilly areas away from municipal water distribution infrastructures. Rainwater harvesting tanks provide a simple and relatively low-cost method of water collection that is generally easy to install and maintain.
In order to increase access to adequate clean safe water and sanitation facilities to reduce on water born diseases among communities in Kabale district, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment for Development (GWEFODE) promotes sustainable management of water as a natural resource through capacity building, advocacy, awareness raising, information dissemination and strengthening of water management, governance and preservation systems.
GWEFODE
1. Supports and promotes Domestic / Households and communal rain water harvesting through construction and installation of Plastic and Ferro cement Rain Water Harvesting Tanks, Construction of Ventilated Improved Pit latrines (VIP) and Ecological sanitation (ECOSAN) latrines for households and schools, Construction of facilities to improve hygiene and sanitation at households and schools, Establishment of schools health and sanitation clubs.
2. Empowers women to challenge gender stereotypes through training Women as masons in tank construction and maintenance of Ferro cement Rain Water Harvesting Tanks equipping them with knowledge and skills to improve access to water, sanitation and Hygiene in their household and in the community and improving their livelihood skills for future employment and income.
3. Improves the management of water sources through refresher trainings and sensitization of community members especially women and children on better use, operation and maintenance of Water Sanitation and Hygiene Facilities
4. Promotes and protects women right to water and sanitation at community level through capacity building in Human rights monitoring, advocacy and reporting by establishing Human Rights and Water Protection Committees (HRWPC’s), Water User Committees (WUC’s) and mentoring women groups in Water resources management.
5. Undertakes advocacy campaigning on Water issues which empowers women and communities to carry out advocacy on Water issues by themselves, establishing new women groups and strengthening existing ones thinking of innovative ways of how to bring water close to themselves and their communities through initiating Rain Water Harvesting Tank Schemes, Training local women groups from water stressed areas as masons in construction of ferro cement tanks empowering them to become efficient water users and managers, engaging in advocacy and lobbying government leaders to bring water to their communities, participatory planning, monitoring and evaluation, dialogues, Documenting and dissemination of community voices and media campaigns for emergency advocacy issues that need attention or facilitation and formation of community based monitors and evaluators.