How community-led Operations and Management Committees are building ownership of WASH infrastructure.

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Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene is essential for health, dignity, and wellbeing, yet many waste picker communities living in Bengaluru’s informal settlements continue to face significant barriers to these basic services. Through the Saamuhika Shakti initiative, supported by WaterAid India and partners, community-led efforts are helping address these challenges by improving access to clean drinking water and safe sanitation facilities.

At the heart of this intervention are community-led and managed Operation and Maintenance (O&M) committees, comprising equal representation of women and men, who oversee the upkeep of shared facilities through locally collected contributions. The initiative has enabled over 2,200 people to access improved sanitation and water services, while fostering ownership, sustainability, and healthier living environments. By strengthening community leadership and promoting hygiene awareness, particularly among women, girls, and children, the program demonstrates how collective action can drive lasting change.

^{‍Video credit: WaterAid India}