The number of Facility Management Groups (GMF) with over 30% women’s participation, from July to December 2014, increased to 89% compared to 67% in 2013 representing an increase of 22%.
The National Directorate for Water Services (DNSA) and the Australian-Aid funded Program on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (BESIK) begun developing the Community Action Plan (PAK) in 2000 as a participatory process to develop the ability of the community to manage and feel ownership of their own water systems.
Based on a study undertaken by DNSA and BESIK in 2013, the GMF’s are effective in increasing the sustainability of water systems in Timor-Leste and that women’s participation in the GMF’s increases this sustainability even further.
On another study on women’s participation in GMF’s groups it was noted that when women are part of GMF’s these are instrumental in enabling the immediate resolution of a technical problem because usually it is the women who are the primary users; fetching water, managing and utilizing water in the family, thus they have the greatest stake and motivation to buy quality materials to ensure repairs undertaken to a water system do not break down easily. Women were also noted to be able to diffuse altercations related to access to water and are able to better manage funds collected by the community.
“There has been an increase in the number of women in GMF’s because the Administrative Post Facilitators have been socializing in the community aided by PAK manuals about the importance of women’s involvement in programs of clean water systems,” said the Chief of the Department of Water Services of DNSA, Martinus Nahak.
“And the PAK Method used was also a factor that encouraged and motivated greater women’s participation.”
According to Decree Law No. 4/2004, in Timor-Leste rural communities are responsible for managing their own water systems.
GMF’s organize the maintenance of the water systems and find ways to engage the community to cover the maintenance costs.
The Government of Timor-Leste also provides important support to the rural communities to be able to manage their water systems adequately. Municipal officers from DNSA, Administrative Post Facilitator’s (FPA) and Municipal Technical Officers (OTM) as part of the PAK process serve an important link between the community and the government.
FPA’s and OTM’s work together to support and facilitate the community in making plans on how to plan their water system; to build and train; and support GMF’s and the community with maintenance and operation once a water system is built.
“The Government of Australia as the main donor for the water development sector, sanitation and hygiene in Timor-Leste is very happy with this progress because women’s participation not just in this sector but in all other national development sectors will ensure inclusive sustainable development in the country,” said Neryl Lewis, Counsellor for Development Cooperation with the Australian Embassy.
Studies undertaken by DNSA and BESIK point out the positive correlation between working water systems and women’s participation in GMF’s.
In sites where women are not part of GMF’s, there is no difference be-tween functioning or non-functioning water systems. On the other hand in sites where women are active participants of GMF’s the proportion of functioning water systems may increase significantly.
The significant increase of 22% of GMF groups with over 30% women’s participation was noted in the 18 new GMF’s established in 2014, with data coming from the administrative posts (former sub districts) and municipalities (former districts) implementing the Community Action Plan for the management of water systems.
From July to December 2014, PAK’s were implemented in the administrative post of Bazartete in Liquiça Municipality; and in the 10 administrative posts in the municipalities of Liquiça, Ainaro, Covalima, Manatuto, Oe-cusse, Baucau, Viqueque, and Ermera.
