“This has entirely disabled me, I can’t lift heavy objects anymore” – Issiyaan shares her tragic situation after the accident.

The most heartbreaking reality is that despite this painful condition, she has no choice but to be involved in the unpaid labour for water since, as a woman, she is made to feel responsible for the water needs of her family. 

What adds to her struggles is that after the accident, Issiyaan is forced to use small plastic bottles for water hauling since her shoulders can no longer bear the weight of clay pots. Owing to the minimal capacity of the plastic containers, she makes several trips to water collection points every day to fulfil her household’s water needs. Each movement on the rugged path to the nearest well worsens her condition, causing further pain and discomfort. Every morning she faces the dilemma of choosing between letting herself and her children die of thirst or risking her life by walking the same tragic route just to attain water that might be too unsafe to drink.

The course of her life has been changed forever just because of age-old water collection practices and traditions. 

Unfortunately, Issiyaan is not the only one who lost her abilities to the water crisis. There are several women and children whose shoulders could not bear the weight of heavy clay pots and containers, making them vulnerable to permanent disabilities. Thousands of such heart-wrenching ‘water-labour’ stories remain untold while the victims suffer silently, struggling every day, fighting through their pain and suffering, just to ensure the survival of their loved ones.