CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN ORGANIZATIONS... IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN ENUGU STATE IN THE AREA OF PROVISION OF SAFE DRINKING WATER

Access to safe drinking water remains a pressing development challenge in Nigeria, particularly in Enugu State where rural and peri-urban communities often depend on unsafe water sources. While government and donor interventions have attempted to address these gaps, the contributions of women’s organizations in water provision have received limited scholarly attention. This study examined the role of women’s organizations in the implementation of community development projects in Enugu State with specific focus on safe drinking water. Guided by the participatory development framework, the study employed a mixed-methods design, combining surveys of 220 women leaders across six local government areas with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed that women’s organizations contribute significantly through resource mobilization for borehole construction, maintenance of community water facilities, and advocacy for improved sanitation and hygiene practices. However, challenges such as limited financial capacity, inadequate technical expertise, and weak institutional support were identified as constraints. The study concludes that women’s organizations remain critical stakeholders in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6 at the grassroots level. It recommends stronger government–community partnerships, capacity-building for women leaders, and gender-inclusive policy frameworks to enhance the sustainability of safe drinking water initiatives in Enugu State