Water availability and gendered narratives in urban slums of india- a habitus perspective

The rapid urban expansion and ever increasing rural aspirations have given rise to haphazard and precarious encampment in cities of India just like the case of several other developing nations. This paper attempts to showcase and understand the woes and vicious cycle of affliction in terms of ‘habitus’ of a community in one such settlement in Tejaji Nagar area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Pierre Bourdieu’s concept of habitus is employed here in order to explain the gendered notions surrounding water, sanitation, intoxication and providing for family financially. The explanation thus derived clearly creates a dialogue on gender and power dynamics in the backdrop of continued perpetuation of habitus, thus forming a rural-urban cultural continuum. The study further indicates greater implications of water scarcity on women and thus suggests gender mainstreaming to counter this greater burden on women while framing water policies.