Women’s empowerment and environmental restoration: Sundargarh’s sustainable evolution shows the way

In the heart of Odisha’s Sundargarh district, a remarkable transformation is unfolding, blending empowerment, community unity and a deep commitment to environmental preservation.

Here, women from self-help groups (SHG) are stepping into leadership roles to efficiently manage solid waste and also shaping their own economic futures. 

The district administration and UNICEF worked together to launch the ground-breaking solid waste management programme ‘Aama Sundargarh Swachh Sundargarh’, which has made this inspiring change possible.

This initiative has opened doors for local women, allowing them to take charge of their communities’ waste management practices and empowering them economically.

Women take lead

Kuntala Kujur, a 22-year-old farm labourer from Kutra block, struggled when her husband lost his driving job during the COVID-19 pandemic. His declining health prevented him from working, leaving Kuntala to support her 11-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. She joined a four-person SHG team that collects solid trash door-to-door to feed her family, earning at least Rs 3,000 per month.

She said she finds fulfillment not just in being the family’s primary breadwinner but also in her contribution to environmental protection. “I’m happy that my work allows me to play a part in safeguarding our environment,” she added.

Sabita Kujur, 32, of Kutra block, Sundergarh district, another member of the SHG, actively collects and disposes of solid waste. Despite initial resistance from her husband, training from the district administration and UNICEF convinced him to support her. Sabita’s work provides crucial income for her family of six, including elderly parents-in-law, earning her Rs 3,000-3,500 per month and contributing to environmental well-being.

There are about 557 women from various SHGs in 17 blocks of Sundargarh who are working on this project and have emerged as leaders in the solid waste management system.

This is a far-reaching solid waste management initiative, jointly undertaken by the Sundergarh district administration and UNICEF, with the objective of empowering local self-governing bodies (panchayats) to effectively handle diverse forms of solid waste, including plastics and liquid waste, at multiple levels.

Started as a pilot project in 251 villages across 17 blocks, it aimed to establish a replicable model for effective rural solid waste management, with a special emphasis on plastic waste and empower SHGs to actively participate and derive financial gains from their involvement, extending beyond waste management.

Now it has expanded to encompass all 279 Gram Panchayats in Sundargarh by March 2022. It brought benefits to 1,602,916 individuals and 363,676 households, as well as 5,031 schools and Anganwadi Centers (AWC). The total investment reached approximately Rs 14 crore, covering infrastructure, human resource support and project management.

Waste management: A shared responsibility

The women associated with the SHG, who diligently collect and manage waste from house to house are the collective leaders of waste management in these villages. This grassroots approach involves every household in maintaining a clean and sustainable environment.

George Ekka, a resident of Kutra, acknowledged the positive change brought by the SHG members who introduced daily free home garbage collection services. The village is now cleaner and more organised, with designated pits for wet waste, replacing the old habit of roadside disposal.
The collected waste is expertly segregated by these women, ensuring plastic, paper and organic materials are properly sorted for recycling and reuse, embodying sustainability principles and reducing environmental impact.

This integrated approach combines waste management and women's economic empowerment through community-operated waste management centres. It encompasses the entire waste management process, from collection and storage to segregation, treatment and connecting with recycling facilities, creating a sustainable entrepreneurship model.

Mina Eka, 47, a member of the Jeevanjyoti SHG in Gyanapally village, Kutra, relies on waste collection for her livelihood. After her husband passed away in 2021, she transitioned from farm labour to spending 4-5 hours daily collecting and sorting waste, earning a monthly income of Rs 3,000-4,000. Both a commitment to a clean environment and financial stability drive her work.

"Through community-led initiatives, we empower women to transform their lives while safeguarding the environment. It's a testament to the impact that responsible waste management can have on both livelihoods and our planet's well-being,” Shipra Saxena, specialist, WASH and Climate Change, UNICEF, said.
"Our enduring goal is to collaborate with small-scale industries to transform this waste into valuable products, involving a greater number of community members,” said Manoj Mahajan, chief development officer (CDO) and executive officer of Zilla Parishad.

He expressed optimism about the model's potential impact. “I believe that our approach will stand as a shining example for other regions looking to implement systematic and strategic waste management, leading to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.”

Waste India