It is a well-known fact that the Municipal water pipes normally end where the slum life begins, forcing the women, men and children to queue up for water and loose valuable livelihood and school time. This often results in disputes and violence. Life is much tougher and more harassing for women and girls where toilets are absent. SEWA Delhi in collaboration with its sister organization Mahila Housing SEWA Trust (MHT), initiated the Water and Sanitation Programme in Delhi in May 2008, with the overall objective of improving the housing & infrastructure conditions of women in Sunder Nagari, Anand Vihar, Rajiv Nagar and Raghubir Nagar. It is aimed at increasing access to water and sanitation facilities and develop the leadership and organizing ability of women so that they can emerge as strong unions. The members who require financial assistance for gaining access to water and sanitation facilities are assisted with a loan from the cooperative society of SEWA Delhi.

Mohalla meetings are held to ascertain the problems faced by the members, along with regular surveys and home visits. The team also liaisons with authorities like the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), other local urban bodies & different NGOs to facilitate an access to basic amenities like roads, public toilets and sewer connections etc. Mandals or Community Based Organizations (CBOs) are formed in different areas, which are registered as Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), and which simplify the process of addressing the problems of the community members.


The Mahila Housing Trust is also providing skill up gradation training to construction workers. Sixty three construction workers have received skill up gradation training under the Karmika Programme of MHT.