Impact Case Study: Understanding Intersections of Gender, Health, and Leadership with Women Waste Workers in India

Through the ARISE programme, the George Institute India (TGI) supported the co-creation and strengthening of spaces for women waste workers to convene and discuss issues related to gender, health and wellbeing. This led to women engaging more with collectives to bring their issues to the fore. After four years, women waste workers are willing to take up leadership roles in collectives to ensure that issues relevant to women can be discussed in these spaces. The women waste workers have also volunteered to directly participate in discussions with government officials. At a waste workers’ collective meeting in August 2023, four women waste workers from Shimla volunteered to occupy leadership positions within their collective. This change is significant as it reflects increased confidence among women waste workers to partake in leadership spaces.