Women and girls are the most affected by water challenges—walking long distances to fetch water, facing health risks from poor sanitation, and yet remaining underrepresented in decision-making and finance.
Despite growing recognition of gender equality in water management, progress remains slow. A new policy note—Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Water Resources Management: Global Status and 7 Pathways to Progress—developed by UNEP-DHI, GWP, and UN Women, highlights the urgency of action. The global average score for gender mainstreaming in water management stands at just 58%, with a target of 90–100% by 2030. Alarmingly, only 27% of countries report having achieved gender equality objectives in national water management frameworks. The policy note provides tangible examples that countries can follow to accelerate progress, which is critical with just five years left to meet SDG 5 (gender equality) and SDG 6 (water and sanitation).
On International Women’s Day 2025, under the theme For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment., GWP calls on global leaders to take immediate action. Investing in women is not just about fairness; it is about creating a future where water, communities, and economies thrive.
Shamiso Kumbirai Mlilwana, Chief of Staff and Investments Specialist at GWP Southern Africa, emphasises: “Investing in women is investing in water security that benefits everyone.”
The Global Transformation Agenda for Climate-Resilient Water Investments
The newly launched Global Transformation Agenda for Climate-Resilient Water Investments is a major step in closing the water investment gap. To ensure these investments deliver real impact, gender-responsive financing must be at the core.
"The Global Transformation Agenda represents an unprecedented opportunity to drive real change in water security. To maximise its impact, gender-responsive financing and leadership must be at the centre—ensuring investments reach those who need them most," says Alex Simalabwi, CEO of the Global Water Partnership Organisation and Executive Secretary of GWP.
Gender-Transformative Investments: A Key to Sustainable Solutions
Through initiatives like the Water, Climate, Development, and Gender Investments under the Africa Water Investment Programme (AIP), GWP and Partners are contributing to mobilising funding that prioritises women’s leadership, access to finance, and innovation in water management.
"Gender-transformative investments are key to unlocking sustainable and inclusive solutions," says Shamiso. "By aligning with the Global Transformation Agenda, we’re working to close the financing gap and ensure water infrastructure, governance and services respond to the needs of all."
The Need for Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Water Resources Management
Dr Anthi Brouma, Deputy Regional Coordinator and Theme Leader on Water Governance, Sustainable Financing, Diversity (Gender, Youth) at GWP Mediterranean, underscores the importance of gender equality in water resources management:
"Developing and deploying only half of the world’s available talent is not only short-sighted, but also has a huge bearing on the growth, competitiveness, and future-readiness of political economies and businesses worldwide. Moving beyond and eradicating gender stereotypes and biases necessitates the adoption of a gender-transformative approach at all levels of water resources management, with consideration of the way different societies assign particular social, economic, and cultural roles to men and women. Importantly, it requires a paradigm shift and eventually a behavioural and cultural change."
The newly launched gender policy note by UNEP-DHI, GWP, and UN Women highlights that women’s participation at all levels of water governance enhances sustainability, equity, and impact in water management. However, persistent gender disparities continue to limit women's opportunities to influence water policies and investments, underscoring the need for transformative action. The policy note highlights 7 practical means of advancing gender mainstreaming in water resources management, to support country progress towards SDGs 5 and 6.
"Evidence shows that women in leadership roles and at all levels of management and decision-making provide a strong impulse to the achievement of sustainable development results, including the SDGs, as women pay more attention to the environment, social well-being, and inclusive economic growth for present and future generations. This is why at GWP we are committed to gender equality and investing in gender transformation for IWRM. The newly launched policy note by UNEP-DHI, GWP, and UN Women provides a roadmap for action, identifying seven key enablers for mainstreaming gender in water resources management through concrete examples.”
A Smart Investment for a Water-Secure Future
This International Women’s Day, let’s move beyond commitments to action—ensuring that water investments truly empower women and transform communities for generations to come.