The objective of the Program is to improve the overall quality of life of women by facilitating access to Water and Sanitation through its Microfinance Partners
The Water and Sanitation program is a testament to the fact that the availability of financial resources is key to enabling poor households to invest in water and sanitation facilities. It busts several myths about their reluctance to use modern amenities. The program also aims to raise awareness among women, children, donors and lending institutions about the role that sanitation plays in raising living standards and productivity levels of a household.
The Program aims to provide financial assistances to MFIs for providing loans to its clients for construction and renovation of toilets and for taking household water facilities at subsidised rates. Organisations working for the upliftment of the poor in urban or rural areas and having mission and necessary capacity to undertake Water & Sanitation projects for low income households are selected.
The program is carried out through both grant and loan modes. Loans are provided to the partner organisations, who further lend to their clients for construction or renovation of toilets or for providing loans to sanitation entrepreneurs and for taking household water facilities. Grants are given to partner organisations under the project for generating awareness and demand for sanitation loans based on availability.
-Dignity for women: One of the biggest impact is the dignity that having toilet brings to the household. Women are really happy that they do not have to defecate in the open and be exposed to shame. Having own toilet also increases the status of the family socially. People are becoming aware as evident from the fact that parents while marrying their daughter look for a household that has access to water and toilet.
-Ease of access and convenience Increased convenience especially for sick, old, children and young women
-More productive time available for women micro-entrepreneurs
-More cleaner atmosphere (no foul smell) in the vicinity of the house
-Water quality is better in the household taps than the previous sources from where the beneficiaries use to fetch water.
Ms. Vandana, Sanjay Nagar, Nagpur who had taken a Water Loan for taking household water connection told- “baikanche tonda vaazaayche”… women would create lot of noise and fight with each other at the time of fetching water from local municipal tap at stamp post. Her children also had to frequently stand in the serpentine queues for fetching drinking water leaving their studies. The supply was also not adequate. She had to economise on its use. After the tap was installed with the water loan, she has more free time available. The biggest positive impact has been on her children’s study who can now concentrate on study as no time is wasted in procuring water.
Ms. Ranu, Mansar Mines, Ramtek who took a Sanitation loan for constructing a household toilet said that the time saved from going outside for toilet helped her in providing few hours more for her tailoring business. The extra time translated into higher business volumes and more income.
The success story of Magenta Finance Services Pvt Ltd and Friends of Women’s World Banking, India, goes far beyond financial transactions. It represents the power of purpose-driven partnerships that prioritize the welfare of communities over mere profits. Through this transformative initiative, countless lives were positively impacted, demonstrating the potential for financial institutions to become agents of meaningful change. As this inspiring journey continues, Magenta and FWWB remain steadfast in their commitment to creating lasting impact and empowering disadvantaged communities throughout India
