Gender in WASH

In Lagam Pii Village, in Omiya Anyima West Sub-County in Kitgum, access to clean water is not just about infrastructure. It is about people, persistence, and possibility. This year’s World Water Day theme, “Water and Gender: Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” is vividly reflected in the life and work of Ms. Ayaa Grace.

At 45, Grace is a mother of 10 and one of the few women hand-pump mechanics still active in her community. Her journey began in 2004 when she seized an opportunity that many women hesitated to take. After completing a week-long training, she earned her certificate and stepped into a role traditionally dominated by men.

“Being a hand pump mechanic has not only empowered me financially but also earned me respect in my community,” she says with pride.

Since then, Grace has been part of a dedicated team repairing boreholes across her area, ensuring that communities have consistent access to safe water. Their work is essential. When a borehole breaks down, it is often the difference between access to clean water and long, difficult journeys in search of it.

Yet the work is not without challenges. Transport to distant sites is limited, and sometimes communities fail to pay after repairs are completed. Still, Grace and her team continue, driven by a shared sense of responsibility.

“As women, we are the primary users of water in most households, and gaining skills to repair boreholes not only helps ensure reliable water access but also earns respect within the community and supports family income,” she emphasizes.

Her work also directly supports her family’s well-being. The team charges UGX 65,000 (about USD 17) per borehole, shared among seven mechanics. This income, alongside her other income sources as a farmer, Grace has been able to pay school fees, provide food, and support her household alongside her husband, a farmer who fully encourages her work.

A turning point came in 2022, when the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) supported the hand pump mechanics with tools and personal protective equipment. The association also received contracts in 2022, 2024, and 2025, strengthening both their work and livelihoods.

“This support has been a game-changer for me and my family,” she says gratefully.

Grace’s story is part of the broader Water is Life project, implemented by LWF in Agago, Pader, and Kitgum, with funding from charity: water. The project goes beyond improving water access. It intentionally creates opportunities for women to step into leadership and technical roles, challenging long-standing gender norms. Through her work, Grace is doing exactly that. She is not only fixing boreholes; she is helping shift perceptions.

“Don't be afraid to venture into non-traditional roles, it's empowering and rewarding,” she advises other women.