Can women-led water user groups pave the way to water integrity for improved water services delivery? A case study of women-led water user groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

In this paper I have explored the under researched topic of community collective action initiatives undertaken by community-based organizations in the context of north-western Pakistan. I have particularly focused on the role of women organizations and have highlighted their struggle for improving drinking water services at consumer end and fighting corruption. In north-western Pakistan, women are restricted to the responsibilities of household chores and children rearing and are barred from playing any role in the other affairs of life including playing their part in the governance and policy arena. Despite all these barriers women in Chitral district are very active and are playing their due role in the drinking water governance and management through their participation in community-based organizations established by different local and non-local non-governmental organizations. I have particularly highlighted the legal activism of community-based organizations in the form of filling cases in the consumer courts and making government accountable for the provision drinking water services. Furthermore, apart from the community activism and collective action, government has also provided enabling environment in the form of approving and implementing acts and laws related to accountability mechanisms including Right to Public Services (2014), Right to Information Services (2013) and Consumer protection Courts (1997). Additionally, government has also introduced other accountability mechanisms for registering complaints and grievances which has a positive impact on the overall governance and accountability environment particularly in the drinking water services.