Ripples-of-Change report -jjm 2025

About Dataset

“Ripples of Change: Gender-transformative rural WASH programmes in India” is a documentation of the experiences of women leaders and the gender-transformative changes associated with India’s flagship rural Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes, particularly the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G). The publication examines how WASH interventions can extend beyond service delivery to influence gender norms, social roles, decision-making, power relations and women’s participation in community governance. The documentation presents 10 case studies of women change-makers, illustrating diverse pathways through which women have taken leadership roles in water, sanitation and hygiene activities—from frontline service delivery and technical work to local governance. The studies draw on more than 50 key informant interviews across 10 districts in 7 States, covering women protagonists, family members, peers, government officials, elected representatives and community leaders. The publication explores gender transformation at three interconnected levels: the policy and institutional environment, women and girls themselves, and families and communities. It highlights women's agency, participation in decision-making, skill development, community engagement, sanitation, menstrual hygiene, water supply management and local leadership. Through these narratives, the report demonstrates how gender-transformative WASH approaches can create enabling environments for women to challenge traditional roles, exercise leadership and contribute to more inclusive and sustainable communities.