International Women’s Rights Day
Water, a key to women's and girls' emancipation
On this International Women’s Rights Day, 1001fontaines reaffirms its commitment to access to safe drinking water, a fundamental lever of empowerment for women and girls worldwide.
Breaking barriers for safe water: an all-women mission in Nepal
A few weeks ago, an all-women team embarked on a mission to Nepal to advance the launch of a new 1001fontaines project. Anisha Karn, Nepal Project Manager, Amandine Muret, Chief Development Officer and Eva Leneveu, Program Manager (from left to right), joined forces to move the initiative forward. Their objectives were clear: secure the buy-in of Madesh provincial government, identify suitable municipalities, and connect with communities to understand their challenges and design the service accordingly.
Water: a daily burden for women and girls
« We wake up early to fetch water before school. » shared Puja Lama.
Our approach focuses on working closely with local municipalities to create sustainable water solutions. In Surunga, Saptari District, we had the privilege of meeting the town’s woman mayor Geeta Chaudhary—one of only four women mayors in Madesh. Water access is one of her key priorities, as currently, only 300 households are connected to piped systems.
« Water is not just about survival; it is about dignity. » said Geeta Chaudhary. « Every woman and girl should have the right to safe water near her home. »
Women at the heart of change
Leading the pilot design is Anisha Karn, whose deep commitment and ability to connect with people—whether in Kathmandu offices or rural communities—make her the ideal person for the role. A passionate advocate for feminine and innovative leadership, Anisha is a volunteer with Toastmasters International (a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs), empowering others with her voice.
With several years of experience as CEO of Smart Paani (a social enterprise with significant experience in providing sustainable solutions in water management), she has long stood for change in Nepal’s water sector.
« Leadership is not about taking space, but about creating space for others to rise, » Anisha reflected. « Women-led solutions can reshape the future of water access in Nepal. »
A day to remind us of the urgency to act
This mission to Nepal has reinforced 1001fontaines’ conviction that to tackle the water crisis, we must anchor our actions in the local context, capitalizing on our innovative approach and giving a voice to the populations concerned. Therefore, on this International Women’s Rights Day, 1001fontaines is highlighting once again the vital place of communities in its model, the strength of their resilience and the fundamental role of women in building a future where water is no longer an issue, but a driver of emancipation and freedom.
