On 22 March, the global community marks World Water Day 2026 under the theme “Where water flows, equality grows.” The message is clear: the water crisis affects everyone, but not equally.

Where access to safe water and sanitation is limited, women and girls carry most of the burden. They spend time collecting water, face health and safety risks, and lose opportunities for education and work. At the same time, they remain underrepresented in decision-making and leadership in the water sector.

At the policy level, progress is ongoing but uneven. The 2015 UN resolution on the human rights to water and sanitation calls for women’s full and equal participation in decision-making. While 71% of countries now include measures to reach women and girls in water policies, 14% still lack mechanisms to ensure their participation.

Water for equality - a shared responsibility

Inclusive water governance is essential for strong and sustainable services. Women must be part of decision-making at all levels, from utilities to policy and planning, not only as users, but as leaders and professionals shaping the sector.

Achieving this requires a joint effort. Organizations and institutions need to create space for women in leadership, while men also play a key role as allies supporting equal participation, challenging barriers, and ensuring that diverse perspectives are represented at the table.

Only with inclusive decision-making can water services respond effectively to the needs of all.

Facts and figures: 

• Since 2015, 961 million people have gained access to safely managed drinking water, contributing to 2.2 billion people gaining access between 2000 and 2024.

• Still, 1.8 billion people do not have drinking water on their premises, and in two out of three households, women are responsible for collecting water.

• In 53 countries, women and girls spend 250 million hours every day collecting water—more than three times as much as men and boys.
• More than 1 billion women still lack access to safely managed drinking water, and 380 million live in areas of high or critical water stress.
• Women make up just over 20% of the water sector workforce and are underrepresented in leadership roles.
• Unsafe water, sanitation and hygiene cause around 1,000 child deaths every day.
• 156 million girls aged 10–19 still lack access to basic hygiene services.

IAWD’s contribution

IAWD works to strengthen water and sanitation services across the Danube region through capacity development, benchmarking, and regional cooperation. Promoting inclusion is always part of our effort and considered in every step of our processes.

Additionally, through engagement in initiatives such as Equal Aqua, IAWD supports utilities in addressing gender gaps in recruitment, career development, and leadership.

As part of this year’s activities, IAWD and the International Water Association Specialist Group on Sustainability in the Water Sector invite you to an online workshop "Women in Water: Supporting Inclusive Contributions in the Industry" on 26 March 2026, 14:30 - 16:00 CET. The workshop will present insights from the Women in Water Projects and discuss practical ways to support a more inclusive workforce in the water sector. Open to water professionals of all genders, it provides an opportunity to share experiences and contribute to future actions.

Let's join our forces

Below we linked a Policy Note that includes the “7 Pathways to Progress” - practical actions to strengthen gender equality in water resources management. When the stakes are as high as they are today, no single person can do it all. But if we all do our part, the world will be a more equal place.

Imagine Equality. Happy World Water Day!