A recent report by the State Bank of India highlights the transformative impact of the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) on rural India, particularly in empowering women socio-economically.
The study found that the reduction in households fetching water from outside has led to a significant increase in women’s participation in agriculture. Nationwide, there was an 8.3 percentage point drop in such households, which correlated with a 7.4 percentage point rise in women’s involvement in agriculture and allied activities.
States like Bihar and Assam have shown remarkable progress. Female workforce participation in these states has increased by over 28 percentage points, reflecting the benefits of reliable tap water access in poorer regions.
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Launched by the Government of India on 15 August 2019, the Jal Jeevan Mission aims to provide functional tap water connections to all rural households. At the time of launch, only 17% of rural households, or 3.23 crore, had tap water. By 10 October 2024, the initiative had added 11.96 crore new connections, bringing the total coverage to 15.20 crore households, or 78.62% of rural India.
The mission’s impact varies by state. Uttar Pradesh saw a significant rise in tap water connections, which led to a 17.3 percentage point increase in women’s participation in agriculture. In Odisha, a 7.8 percentage point decrease in households fetching water from outside coincided with a 14.8 percentage point increase in women’s workforce involvement.
Even in West Bengal, a non-BJP ruled state, women’s participation in the workforce increased by 15.2 percentage points, demonstrating how improved water access has eased women’s physical and time burdens.
Other states, like Himachal Pradesh and Telangana, have also seen positive changes. Himachal Pradesh recorded a 19.4 percentage point reduction in water-fetching households, while Telangana saw a 30.3 percentage point decline, proving the mission’s success even in difficult terrains.
In Jharkhand, a 10.8 percentage point reduction in water-fetching households was linked to a 13.7 percentage point increase in women’s agricultural participation. Madhya Pradesh, with a 17.6 percentage point reduction in such households, has also seen a boost in rural productivity.
The mission has improved rural living standards, reduced waterborne diseases, and ensured better health outcomes. In Andhra Pradesh, the reduction in water-fetching households was 9 percentage points.
In Rajasthan and Gujarat, the availability of tap water has allowed rural communities to focus on productive activities, contributing to economic growth.
The mission has also improved health and education outcomes. In Kerala, for instance, access to clean water has reduced waterborne illnesses, enabling children to attend school regularly.
With a budget of ₹3.60 lakh crore, shared between the Centre and states, the Jal Jeevan Mission is making significant strides toward ensuring water security across India.
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