Rising to the occasion
Through the Joint Recovery Action Plan, women are proving that with the right training and tools, they can take on critical roles in water supply management
Rukum West, Nepal: In the village of Ijar in Rukum West District in Nepal’s western hills, 39-year-old Debikala Khatri has become a reliable figure in ensuring her community has access to clean drinking water.
Appointed as a Village Maintenance Worker (VMW), Debikala was eager to serve her community, especially after the earthquake of November 2023. The disaster severely impacted the region, damaging water sources and supply systems that children and families relied on. Despite her determination, however, Debikala often felt limited in her ability to help.
“I often felt restricted by my lack of technical knowledge and skills,” she admits.
So when she learned about a training on water supply maintenance being organized as part of the Joint Recovery Action Plan (JRAP) through UNICEF’s partner, Rukumeli Social Development Center, she immediately signed up.
The training, held in Chainabagar, brought together 29 participants from neighbouring areas. Over three days, they learned the essentials of maintaining rural water systems, combining theory with hands-on practice. Lessons covered the types and quality of pipes, proper cutting angles, and how to assemble fittings. The practical sessions allowed participants to make pipe fittings like elbows and sockets and join pipes using tools such as heating plates.
For Debikala, the experience was empowering.
“It was enlightening,” she says. “I was especially excited to learn how to fit all the necessary connections for private water meters on my own.”
Upon returning home, Debikala wasted no time putting her new skills to use. When her community faced a minor issue in its water supply system, she stepped in to repair it. Her neighbours were impressed by her confidence and expertise.
Her newfound knowledge has also created new opportunities. In addition to maintaining the village water supply, she has started offering plumbing services, installing water meters, and fixing pipes in households nearby. She’s proud to have found a way to support her family while serving her community.
“We learned that we can do this work just as well as men,” says Debikala. “When our community needs us, we can rise to the occasion.”
The training was part of the Joint Recovery Action Plan (JRAP), launched in 2024 to address the widespread devastation caused by the 2023 earthquake. Led by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the program is supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and implemented by UNICEF, IOM, UNFPA, and WFP under the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office. Among its aims is to restore essential services, such as water supply systems, and support children and families in rebuilding their lives.
