From Silence to Action: Women United to Fix Their Community Water Tap

[Juguli Das]

Triveni is a highly traditional and patriarchal village where women have very limited freedom to speak or make their own decisions. After marriage, daughters-in-law are expected to remain inside the home, with their roles limited to household work and family care. As a result of these long-standing social norms, the women of Triveni had never participated in community decision-making or taken collective action. However, after participating in individual and Group SALT conversations, we witnessed a remarkable transformation in their confidence, unity, and willingness to take action for their community.

Before the group SALT

Before the Group SALT, the women of Triveni had never organized any meeting themselves to address community issues or participate in local decision-making. Most lacked the confidence to express their opinions, not only in public but even within their own families. One of the major challenges they faced was the poor condition of the village water tap, which caused significant hardship in their daily lives. Although the women discussed the possibility of collecting money among themselves to repair the water system, the cost was far beyond what they could afford. As a result, they felt powerless and believed there was little they could do to solve the problem. 

During the Group SALT

During the Group SALT session with women, they shared that, for the first time in their lives, someone had asked about them, appreciated their work, and recognized their strengths. This made them feel valued and respected. The women shared that they had to think for a long time before identifying a proud moment in their lives. Many of them said, "It was very difficult for us to think what we have done in our life for ourselves”. 

The SALT process of sitting together in a circle also had a positive impact on them. Some of the women even said, "We are ready to sit anywhere, even on the ground, if it is for discussions like this." For the first time, they experienced a sense of equality, where everyone's voice mattered. 

As the other participants appreciated their ideas and contributions, they gained confidence and motivation. They began to believe that they, too, could make a difference in their community. During the discussion about the village's challenges, the women discussed the long-standing issue of the water tap in their village. They tried to find a solution and discussed that they could also be part of solving the problem. Together, they decided to meet the Mayor to discuss the issue of the village water tap. They decided to raise their voices to address their community's issue.

After the group SALT

As discussed during the Group SALT session, on 15th June, 2026 35 women of age 30–70 years raised their voices for the first time in front of the Mayor and the entire village. They had never spoken with the Mayor before, so before making the call, they prepared what they would say and how they would present the issue. The woman who made the call did not have her own phone, so she borrowed another woman's phone. With great courage, the women called the Mayor. The Mayor did not respond after the first call, so they called him multiple times and organized a village meeting to present their concerns about the water tap and seek a solution.

After receiving repeated calls from the women, the Mayor visited the village and was impressed by their unity and confidence of women. He listened carefully to their concerns and took immediate steps to address the issue. The confidence and unity of women also drew the attention of men in the community and they also came to listen to them. Impressed by the women, the Mayor gave the commitment to the women to take immediate action for the water tap issue. After that the Mayor, allocated the necessary budget, and after a month, the water tap system was completed. As a result, clean drinking water began reaching households across the community, significantly improving access to water and demonstrating the power of collective community action.

This shows that when women take collective action, community issues can be addressed more effectively. It also shows that the SALT approach can build people's confidence to take action for themselves and their community. The women also set an example for other women in the village that, with confidence and unity, they can raise their voices and take the lead in solving their own problems. It also challenges traditional gender norms by showing that women can speak openly, even in front of men, and be heard. This can inspire women in other communities to take similar actions. At the same time, it encourages men to recognize and support women's leadership, creating a more inclusive community and making it easier for future generations to achieve gender equality.