How one community in Jordan is raising women's voices - and ensuring clean water is not wasted
With the support of Global Affairs Canada, Oxfam is working with community members, partners, and the Government of Jordan to improve water governance. And now the voices of the community's women are being heard.
In Jordan, it is not common for government and citizens to talk face to face on issues of common concern. There is also skepticism on the role of civil society.
Together with the Water Authority of Jordan, a group of people in Salt governorate, Jordan are working to change that.
Abir Suleiman Mrooj, Buthaina Al-Zubi, and Majde Algharagher are three of the twelve men and women who comprise a water community group in the town of Allan, Salt. Now, people of Salt can collaborate freely with government officials, air their grievances, and work together to improve water access and governance in their community.
Rapid population growth, a mountainous landscape and neglect have frequently left people in Allan with insufficient access to water. Community members, including Mrooj and Al-Zubi, highlighted the issues to Algharagher, the Water Authority’s Director of Salt District. In turn he was able to convince the Water Authority to respond with extensive improvements to the local water network, valued at over 150,000 JOD (approximately $210,000 USD). Now, leakages in Allan have been reduced significantly - and further improvements are expected to cut back losses even more.
Read th full article via Oxfam International blog.
[Photo by gevn | Flickr]
