On this 2026 World Water Day celebration, it is still observed that the global water crisis affects everyone – but not equally (United Nations).
Where people lack safe drinking water and sanitation close to home, inequalities flourish, with women and girls bearing the brunt; they collect water and manage water.
Women and girls care for people made sick by unsafe water. They lose time, health, safety, and opportunities. And too often, the systems that govern water leave women and girls out of decision-making, leadership, funding and representation.
This makes the water crisis a women’s crisis, the UN notes.
“We need a transformative, rights-based approach to solving these challenges, where women’s voices are heard and their agency recognized.
“All women must be equitably represented at all levels of water leadership – helping design every pipe and policy. And women must drive change in water as engineers, farmers, scientists, sanitation workers and community leaders.
“As we face growing risks, from a changing climate and water-related disasters to financing shortfalls, from social norms to governance gaps, we need everybody to play their full part: managing water as a common good and building resilience for the future,” the UN observed in a document.
The UN considers that a strategic approach would include engaging men and boys as allies in promoting safe water, sanitation and hygiene for all, and in challenging the norms and behaviours that hold women and girls back.
“Only then can safe water services meet everyone’s needs – empowering women and girls to lead healthier, more fulfilled lives – and making water a force for sustainable development and gender equality that benefits us all,” the UN further observes.
