Breaking Barriers and Making Water Work

Meet Ram Rati: Mahoba, India’s first female well mechanic

Imagine turning on your faucet only to have nothing come out. Now imagine no one coming to fix it for months, even years.

For International Women’s Day, we wanted to share the story of Ram Rati. Here’s a little look into the life of the first female well mechanic in Mahoba, India.

Ram Rati grew tired of all the repairs that were not done in her village and decided to become a handpump mechanic herself.

Many women have defied the norm by working alongside men, in Mahoba. They’re going to different villages and fixing wells. They’re changing the face of the water sector in India.

As the first well mechanic in her village, Ram Rati is inspiring women to follow their dreams. Traditionally only men in her village ride bikes. So she learned to ride a bike at forty-years-old.

“First people were laughing that can a woman repair a hand pump? So I showed them. I showed them I can drive a cycle, also. And, today I can drive a motorcycle. Now they say, handpump mechanic please come. You do very good repairs. So please come.”

— Ram Rati, first female well mechanic in Mahoba, India

“It is a typical patriarchal society. For them to come out of their households and work for me is a battle won.” — Anand Shekhar, regional manager at WaterAid

Ram Rati has broken down barriers between men and women in her village. We admire her. Watch our interview with her below:

P.S. We’re launching our biggest campaign yet THIS World Water Day (March 22, 2017) and could use your help spreading the word! Click here to learn more!

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