PARTICIPATION AND VOICE OF WOMEN IN COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION (A SPECIAL REFERENCE TO MATHAGAL EAST RURAL WATER SUPPLY)

Abstract

Participation of Women in Community-Based Organizations has the significance for the controlled access of community resources, enhanced decision-making and chipping away at socio-cultural norms that constrain the voice of women. Women empower the Programmes managed by the community with an initial support from the government or international organization are considered as the useful strategy to provide safe drinking water to the rural communities in the world to achieve the “gender equality”, sustainable development goal of UN. Across the developing countries, studies show that the Women are active participants in CBOs but they are still underrepresented in leadership positions and entrenched traditional views and cultural practices continue to restrict their public roles. This research aims to identify the participation and capability of women in community-based organizations to manage rural water supply. Furthermore, this study tends to propose some recommendations to enhance the women participation in CBOs. Primary data were collected by field observation, interview, questionnaire survey and discussion methods and secondary data were obtained from different official sources. Research samples were selected through Simple Random sampling method. Descriptive statistical analysis was used for this study. The study concludes that the women participate actively in CBOs during various stages and hold higher positions in the CBOs. Women in the CBOs are capable to manage the rural water supply with sustainability. Poor education and leadership, socio cultural influences, domestic and family responsibilities and religious beliefs are some factors hindering the women’s participation in CBOs. Some useful recommendations are proposed here to enhance women’s participation in CBOs. These findings help the researchers, planners, policy makers and graduates to advance women’s participation in CBOs.