Women leading the way: Safe water in Malawi

Across Malawi, where IsraAID repaired over 100 boreholes last year, we’ve seen women taking the lead in local water committees. Despite traditional gender roles that often keep women out of public positions, women make up about 70% of all the water committees that we’ve trained. By defying stereotypes and stepping into leadership positions, women are bringing their unique skills, experience, and expertise to benefit their entire communities.

“I am very proud to be part of a male-dominated career,” said Beatrice Chiromo, a local area mechanic trained by IsraAID. Beatrice has personally rehabilitated some 22 boreholes in Phalombe – one of the districts that was hardest hit by 2023’s Cyclone Freddy.

Beatrice says that her work sometimes shocks people. “People are often surprised to see a woman in this profession. However, I take pride in doing my job effectively, which helps change the stereotypes they may have had towards me. It’s an honor to serve my community this way, as I ensure that they have access to clean and safe water.”

Alongside being an area mechanic, Beatrice is a mother, a livestock farmer, and sells produce in the local market. “Whenever I receive a call to construct a borehole, I make sure to clear my schedule, complete my household chores on time, prepare my kids for school, and make time to go fix the borehole. As a woman, I’m determined to excel in my profession and overcome any challenges that come my way,” she says.

In the absence of safe water access, women are often the most severely impacted. In the village of Makawa, women used to walk for hours to fetch water from the nearest lagoon. That water was often contaminated, leading to water-borne diseases. In 2000, a local NGO built a borehole, radically changing everyday life with access to safe water. But the borehole often malfunctioned and fell into disrepair, leaving women to, once again, walk miles and miles just to fetch water. In 2018, they established a Community Water Committee to maintain the borehole, but without the proper resources and training, the borehole fell into disrepair once again.

In August 2023, IsraAID repaired the community’s borehole and provided training for the local Water Committee. That year, the committee held a new election for the committee and chose 7 women and 3 men to lead it. According to the village’s Chief Amiles Chithenga, it’s no accident that women make up most of the committee. She shared that the women of the village are committed to maintaining the water sources, they make themselves available for meetings and regular maintenance, taking initiative to follow up and make sure the boreholes are clean and functioning.

The women of the committee shared that they can’t afford for the borehole to be out of order. They know that water is essential to every household – for washing, bathing, and cooking. As women in charge of their households, they have a personal stake in making sure that the borehole is managed well.

Esther Sosten, 72, is the treasurer of the Makawa Water Use Committee. She is a widow and has no children of her own but helps care for her sister’s children. When she was chosen to serve on the committee she gladly accepted. She explained that despite her age, she is still strong and enthusiastic to serve her community.

“I am improving my skills and discipline in money management,” Esther said. She explained that previous treasurers would borrow money from the fund and fail to replace it. “I knew I could take on this role objectively without compromises. This is my fourth year as treasurer. The committee trusts me and this work provides moral support for me. It keeps me busy, and we help one another whenever we’re in need.”

Women like Esther and Beatrice are shattering stereotypes across Malawi. Their hard work, dedication, and experience creates opportunities for future generations of women, and lifts the entire community. IsraAID Malawi is proud to offer opportunities for women to fulfill their potential and empower others along the way.