Variability in water supplies stemming from seasonal and climatic changes cause, in turn, catastrophic floods and droughts in the region, leading to damaged crops, property loss, and death. WLE is researching ways to help reduce the impacts of these variability events and improve the resilience of the rural and urban poor.

There are serious water quality and quantity issues that plague South Asia, including severe pollution, deletion of groundwater and inequitable water distribution. If there is to be enough safe water for agriculture, industry and household use, then improving water management will be critical.

Many men are leaving the rural areas of South Asia in order to earn money in urban centers and other countries. This means that women are increasingly in charge of managing family farms. Instead of finding this role as head decision-maker empowering, many women are burdened with societal stigma, a lack of land and water rights, and limited access to markets, adding to their already significant burden.