ROLE OF WOMEN AND YOUTH IN WATER SECURITY : LEGAL

PERSPECTIVE

In present scenario women are working with men in each and every
profession, social and political field at International and National level as well. In
rural, slum and tribal areas of the world the participation of women in the house hold
and field work is more than Men. Youth are future of any nation across the global.
They have maximum energy to perform work and they are able to do extra work
with their compulsory responsibilities. Nevertheless the role women and youth to
achieve water security and inclusive growth in water sector is necessary, useful and
economic as well. The role of women for growth in any sector of world is not
possible without achieving gender equality across the globe and first attempt to
elimination of discrimination against women was, 'Convention on the Elimination
of All forms of Discrimination against women 1979'. Article 14 of the
convention read as below :

Article 14

2. State parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against
women in rural areas in order to ensure, on the basis of equality of men and women,
that they participle in and benefit from rural development and, in particular, shall
ensure to such women the right :

Further, 'Dublin statement on water and sustainable development,

1992 confirms, the role of women in integrated development of water by way of

principle 3. Principle 3 read as follows :

Principle 3. Women play a central part in the Provision, Management

and safeguarding of water

This pivotal role of women as providers and users of water and guardians of the
living environment has seldom been reflected in institutional arrangements for the
development and management of water resources. Acceptance and implementation
of this principle requires positive policies to address women's specific needs and to
equip and empower women to participate at all levels in water resources programs,
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including decision making and implementation, in ways defined by them. In Indian

scenario, the Constitution of India provides for gender equality by way of part III.
Fundamental Rights Article 14, 15, 16 of the Constitution of India ensure right to
equality which includes gender equality as well.

Though there is no provision for the participation of youth in international legal

regime and in Constitution of India however, youth are asset of world and nation and
their role in integrated water resources development is noteworthy. We can improve
water table and water scenario of the nation by using traditional water conservation
practices through indigenous knowledge and available water jurisprudence. Youth of
the nation is grossly unaware about water problems and we failed to give them
knowledge about water problems and way to conserve water by traditional practices
with indigenous knowledge.

Women have long been a focus in the domestic water sub sector, their central
place based primarily on the idea of their "natural" role as household managers. For
many years women have been identified as the main drawers of water; the primary
promoters of hygiene behavior among children. Naturally mothers are first teacher of
children so their role is more import in social transformation. Youths are future of a
nation and they are expected to work towards safety of the planet the Mother Earth
despite other responsibilities. Youth have the energy to put more efforts and turn the
screw towards water security.

The task is possible by water literacy drives in government policies and legal
frameworks. The water deficit country Israel is an example to ensure water security
through water education and water literacy drives. It is necessary and most urgent to
start campaigning and working towards water education and water literacy by
Government of India and Government of States with the support of Union Ministry
of HRD and it can be implemented through Panchayats, social workers and reputed
NGO's specially the positive role of women and youth.

WATER CONSERVATION METHODS

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The latest, well-planned project is, across the Narmada-Sardar Sarovar Project.
An analysis shows, that on an average the Dam would be full by 15 th august of each
years, and that thereafter, fifty percent of the inflow, an amount sufficient to fill the
reservoir three and a half times over, has to be let off via the spill-way. If we take the
rainfall over the whole catchment, the amount of water used by the Sarovar will be
only 20%. The case with other rain fed dams, is worse; on an average, the rainwater
utilized by them ranges from 8% to 12%. I strongly submit that, water has to be
collected and stored almost where it falls. It is felt that a large number of water
ponds (or tanks), each about a hectare in area, and of depth 8-10 meters of
evaporation, 6-8 hectare meters of water will be available from each tank for use in
the non-rainy months. Such water ponds would act as percolation tanks also. Water
would seep along the sides and increase the ground water level. Dug-wells in the
neighborhood would have water. Trees would grow in the neighborhood. If they are
fruit trees, birds would roost, and would act as efficient scavengers, and pest
controllers. The tanks and the trees and the birds would form a nearly balanced eco
system. Instead of dug-tanks, one can have counter-bunded tanks, depending upon
the topography of the land. In a warm country like India, a large amount of biomass
would grow in the tanks, fist algae, water plants like lotus. They would die and get
deposited at the bottom. Every two or three years the tanks should be cleaned of the
slush and would be used as rich organic fertilizer. But all these activities constitute
local skill and effort and self-confidence of the rural people.

There are water harvesting methods at the micro-level. Water falling on the
roofs of houses and individual farms are to be collected. Each plot of land should be
bunded around, so that no rain water escapes as run-off. Water should be made to
percolate gradually into the ground. An innovative farmer, dug channels in his own
small farm to collect the water that falls from the skies. Each channel was 10 cm
deep 15 cm broad, and 10 or 12 meters long. Another farmer, bunded his farm,
found the direction in which underground water flows and put up an underground
check dam.

The river Cauvery flows over parts of Tamil Nadu, where no rain falls in July
and August and the river is in spate due to heavy rains over the western Ghats. The
ancient Tamilians, had constructed a net-work of underground channels of granite
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slabs, to convey the flood water into a network of large water ponds-called
Teppakulams. Each tank, had a central platform on which some deity was installed so
that people may respect the tank and the water.

There are parts in Australia where the average annual rainfall is 18 cm. They
collect every drop of water that falls, on the roofs, lands, even roads. The water is
directed by cemented channels into storage tanks. In that area a wool Industry-sheep
rearing and shearing-is thriving. We are not that poorly off in our rainfall amount.

I strongly suggest that the knowledge to conserve water, rain water

harvesting/artificial recharge techniques must be spread among our women and youth
generations to alive these practices/indigenous techniques for future perspective and
conserve water for next generations. I further suggest that our telecommunication and
broadcasting system must be used properly to propagate indigenous knowledge to
conserve water. N.C.E.R.T., C.B.S.E., State and Central Universities must develop a
curriculum about water education; conservation of water resources with some
practical activities books. These types of books must be prepared and strongly
implemented for class VIII to XII students of each and every board to understand the
true value of water conservation and a part from this a course curriculum must be
included at graduation level also.

Miss Neha Wadhwa

Lecturer Dogra Law College