Tag: WASH

How Women Are Turning Africa’s Water Crisis into an Economic Engine

By Euphresia Luseka In Celebration of Africa Women’s Day 2026
KENYA, JULY 31, 2026

Featured photo: Gilda Giza Rede an Angolan Electromechanical maintenance technician. Rede also represents a new generation of women entering highly technical engineering roles in large-scale water infrastructure. Source, African Development Bank (AfDB).

As the African Union declares 2026 the Year of Water and Sanitation, the continent’s most persistent social burden is being reframed as a productive economic asset; driven by policy innovation, institutional partnerships, and female-led advances in infrastructure, science, and enterprise.

For decades, global development policy viewed African water through the lens of charity and endurance; measuring the billions of unpaid hours women spent carrying water rather than the economic value lost through reduced productivity, constrained livelihoods, and foregone opportunity[i].

As the African Union declares 2026 the Year of Water and Sanitation, that narrative is beginning to shift[ii]. Governments, investors, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) are increasingly recognising what many African women leaders have long understood: water is not simply a welfare issue. It is productive infrastructure that underpins agriculture, manufacturing, energy security, public health, and, ultimately, economic growth.

This structural transition is reshaping the sector. The traditional model, centred on public expenditure and development assistance, is giving way to a diversified water economy in which governments, DFIs, commercial investors, technology firms, utilities, and local enterprises collectively finance, deliver, and scale water solutions as illustrated on the figure below.[iii] Within this emerging ecosystem, women are no longer positioned primarily as beneficiaries of water services but as scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, utility leaders, policymakers, and investors shaping how water is governed, financed, and deployed.

Figure Showing The AU 2026 Shift: How Female Leadership and Blended Finance are Transforming Africa’s Water Economy.

The implications extend well beyond the water sector. Reliable water systems determine agricultural productivity, industrial competitiveness, urban resilience, and countries’ capacity to adapt to climate change.[iv] Investment in water is therefore increasingly recognised not only as a social imperative but as a strategic economic investment.

The women shaping this transition are helping to build a new African water economy where science, policy, entrepreneurship, and finance converge to transform water from a development necessity into a catalyst for inclusive growth.

Some of the Women Building Africa’s Water Economy

This transformation is already visible across the continent through a new generation of scientists, entrepreneurs, and institutional leaders who are changing how water resources are measured, governed, financed, and delivered. As profiled in the 1st African Women in Water and Sanitation Compendium,[v] their work demonstrates that the future of Africa’s water economy will depend not only on physical infrastructure, but on the systems of knowledge, innovation, and governance that make investment possible.[vi]

From satellite-based groundwater mapping in the Sahel to community-led watershed management in The Gambia, circular sanitation enterprises in Senegal, and digital water distribution models in Rwanda, women are building the capabilities required to convert water and sanitation challenges into economic opportunities as elaborated below:

1. Science: Turning Uncertainty into Investable Assets:

      Investment follows information. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Sahel, where advances in satellite hydrology are transforming how groundwater resources are identified, valued, and managed. Among the pioneers is Dr. Fadji Zaouna Maina, a Nigerien Earth scientist and hydrologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Using satellite remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing, she maps deep aquifers across one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Her work enables governments, utilities, and investors to make more informed decisions on irrigation, water infrastructure, and long-term resource management.

      Continue reading “How Women Are Turning Africa’s Water Crisis into an Economic Engine”

      A Few Drips Shouldn’t Close the Tap: The 16th Anniversary of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation

      Blog by Euphresia Luseka, RWSN Leave No One Behind theme co-Lead

      Featured photo: Catarina de Albuquerque, then United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Right to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation, addressing the United Nations General Assembly on 27 July 2011. Source: United Nations.

      On July 28, 2010, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 64/292[i], recognising access to safe drinking water and sanitation as a fundamental human right. More than a symbolic declaration, the resolution marked a significant shift in global development policy, affirming that water and sanitation are not simply public services or economic commodities, but essential prerequisites for human dignity, public health, gender equality, and sustainable development.[ii]

      16 years later, the Human Right to Water and Sanitation (HRWS) stands at a pivotal moment. Progress toward SDG6 has slowed, Official Development Assistance (ODA) is under pressure, and climate change is intensifying water insecurity across regions already struggling with fragile infrastructure[iii]. Against this backdrop, a growing narrative suggests that the promise of the right has failed to translate into meaningful change.[iv]

      That conclusion overlooks an important reality.

      The strongest argument for the Human Right to Water and Sanitation is not found in international declarations, but in the measurable progress achieved since its recognition in 2010.

      The past 16 years have produced measurable progress in expanding access to safe water and sanitation, strengthening legal protections, and improving public service delivery.[v] While universal access remains out of reach, the evidence demonstrates that where governments have embedded the right in domestic law, invested in resilient infrastructure, and strengthened public institutions, the results have been transformative.[vi]

      Building on 16 years of Progress

      As illustrated in the figure below, the record since 2010 offers compelling evidence that rights-based governance can deliver tangible development outcomes when supported by political commitment, sound institutions, and sustained investment. Across countries and regions, the recognition of water and sanitation as a human right has influenced constitutional reforms, shaped public policy, strengthened accountability, and accelerated investments in essential services.

      The expansion of water and sanitation services over the past two decades is unprecedented in scale. According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), more than 2.2 billion people have gained access to safely managed drinking water services, while 2.8 billion people have gained access to safely managed sanitation. 5 During the same period, the number of people practicing open defecation declined dramatically; from more than 1.3 billion at the turn of the century to an estimated 350 million today.5 These gains have contributed to lower rates of waterborne disease, improved child survival, and better health and education outcomes, particularly for women and girls.

      While these advances cannot be attributed to Resolution 64/292 alone, the recognition of water and sanitation as a human right helped reshape the global policy landscape.1 It reinforced political commitments, informed national legislation, and strengthened accountability by establishing access to water and sanitation as a public obligation rather than a discretionary service.

      The influence of the resolution is perhaps most evident in domestic legal reform. Although the resolution itself is not legally binding, it has served as an important normative foundation for constitutional and legislative change in many countries. Kenya’s, Uruguay’s, Ecuador’s, Bolivia’s and South Africa’s Constitution explicitly guarantees the right to sufficient water, providing citizens with a legal basis to challenge unjustified service disconnections and demand government accountability.7 In India, the Supreme Court has interpreted the constitutional right to life to encompass access to safe drinking water, expanding legal protections for vulnerable communities.8 Across Latin America, countries including Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru and Brazil have strengthened constitutional and statutory provisions that prioritise water for domestic use over competing commercial interests.6 Similar developments have occurred in Europe. Slovenia amended its Constitution in 2016 to recognise access to drinking water as a fundamental right, while the European Union’s revised Drinking Water Directive requires Member States to improve access to water, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised groups.

      Legal recognition, however, has proven most effective when accompanied by capable public institutions.

      The experience of the Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority in Cambodia illustrates what is possible when governance reforms accompany infrastructure investment. Once characterised by high water losses, weak financial management, and widespread corruption, the utility transformed itself into one of the world’s leading public water providers through universal metering, improved operational efficiency, transparent management, and progressive tariff structures.6 Today, Phnom Penh enjoys near-universal urban water coverage while protecting affordability for low-income households.

      A similarly instructive example comes from eThekwini Municipality in Durban, South Africa.[vii] Through its Free Basic Water policy, the municipality guarantees vulnerable households a minimum allocation of water free of charge, financed through increasing block tariffs that require higher-volume consumers to pay proportionately more.8 The model demonstrates that equity and financial sustainability need not be competing objectives. Well-designed pricing systems can simultaneously protect vulnerable households, recover operating costs, and expand access.

      Taken together, these experiences underscore an important lesson. The Human Right to Water and Sanitation does not deliver results simply because it exists as an international norm; its true value lies in its ability to shape domestic institutions, guide public investment, and strengthen accountability. The unfinished nature of the global agenda should therefore not obscure the considerable progress already achieved or the practical lessons it offers for accelerating universal access.

      The Unfinished Agenda

      Recognising progress is not the same as declaring victory. Despite significant advances over the past 16 years, universal access to safe water and sanitation remains one of the world’s most pressing development challenges. More than 2.1 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water at home, while 3.4 billion do not have access to safely managed sanitation.5 These gaps are not simply the result of technical constraints; they reflect persistent weaknesses in law, finance, infrastructure, and governance.

      Continue reading “A Few Drips Shouldn’t Close the Tap: The 16th Anniversary of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation”

      RWSN at the 43rd UN Water Meeting in Rome

      By Valérie Bertschy. Re-blogged from Skat Foundation, RWSN’s host organisation.

      Bringing Field Experience into the Preparatory Process for the 2026 UN Water Conference

      In March 2026, The Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) participated in the 43rd UN Water Meeting, held over three days at IFAD headquarters in Rome. As an official UN Water Partner (one of only 39 organizations with that status) RWSN has recognized standing to participate in these intergovernmental preparatory processes, deliver oral interventions, and submit written contributions to official policy documents. 

      This article explains what RWSN brought to Rome, what happened there, and why it matters for the communities RWSN serves. 

      Context: RWSN, Skat Foundation, and UN Water

      Before turning to the meeting itself, a word on institutional roles.

      RWSN is a global knowledge network with more than 17,000 members across 190 countries. It is hosted by Skat Foundation – a St. Gallen-based Swiss NGO that provides the secretariat and staff support that keeps the network running. Valérie Bertschy, Knowledge Management Officer at Skat Foundation, represented RWSN in Rome in her capacity as secretariat staff. 

      UN Water is the United Nations inter-agency coordination mechanism for all freshwater-related issues, including sanitation. Its Members Meeting are held twice yearly, typically in Rome, and serve as a key preparatory forum for major global water policy processes. RWSN’s status as a UN Water Partner gives it formal access to these meetings – a recognition of its role as a credible, evidence-based voice for rural water across the global governance architecture. 

      The 43rd Members Meeting was the second major preparatory milestone for the 2026 UN Water Conference, which will only be the third UN Water Conference since 1977. The stakes are high: the conference is expected to produce a framework shaping global water governance well into the post-2030 period. 

      The Conference Framework: Six Interactive Dialogues

      The Abu Dhabi conference will be structured around six Interactive Dialogues (IDs), each with member state co-chairs and UN agency co-convenors. These dialogues formed the backbone of discussions throughout the three days in Rome:

      • (a) Water for People – co-chaired by Ghana and Switzerland
      • (b) Water for Prosperity – co-chaired by China and Spain
      • (c) Water for Planet – co-chaired by Egypt and Japan
      • (d) Water for Cooperation – co-chaired by Zambia and Finland
      • (e) Water in Multilateral Processes – co-chaired by Germany and Mexico
      • (f) Investments for Water – co-chaired by France and South Africa
      Participants of the 43rd UN Water Meeting in Rome

      What RWSN Brought to Rome

      RWSN’s participation was grounded in substantial preparation ahead of the meeting. RWSN produced a gap analysis comparing its Draft Position Paper against each of the six concept paper outlines, and prepared six tailored oral interventions (one per dialogue) designed to introduce rural water priorities into the intergovernmental discussion.

      Continue reading “RWSN at the 43rd UN Water Meeting in Rome”

      Highlights from the RWSN Mentorship Programme 2024: Faith Lilian Kuloba

      This is a guest blog by Faith Lilian Kuloba, who participated as a mentee in the RWSN Mentorship Programme 2024.

      My name is Faith Lilian Kuloba, a Ugandan currently pursuing an MSc in Water and Wastewater Processes at Cranfield University. My journey to this point began during my time as an Assistant Water Resources Engineer at Water Access Consulting, when my supervisor encouraged me to join the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN).

      About a year later, while reading one of RWSN’s monthly email updates, I found the 2024 Mentorship Programme for Career Development. Although I wasn’t sure what to expect, I applied with optimism, and I was honoured to be selected.

      Shortly after submitting my application, I was paired with my mentor, Rodolfo Bezerra Nóbrega, a lecturer and researcher in the water and environmental sector. His extensive experience in research and academia made him the perfect guide.

      At the time, I was eager to advance my career through further studies. I had already applied for several master’s programmes without success, and my family was experiencing financial strain, making the prospect of funding my education even more uncertain. When I shared my career goals and challenges with Rodolfo, he committed to guiding me through the process.

      Applying for a master’s degree can feel overwhelming, but Rodolfo provided exceptional mentorship. He helped me identify the right programmes, advised me on suitable universities, and taught me how to search for scholarships including how to reach out to universities about funding opportunities. He supported me in reviewing scholarship requirements, refining my CV to UK standards, and learning how to write strong, structured essays. He also assisted with interview preparation.

      Earlier this year, I was honoured to received the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship, which has allowed me to begin my masters programme at Cranfield University.

      This mentorship programme has been truly transformative. Without Rodolfo’s support, encouragement, and skill, I would not be where I am today. Just a year ago, I was unsure how I would finance my studies and now I am in the UK pursuing the master’s degree I always hoped for.

      My sincere thanks go to RWSN and the Skat Foundation for organising this mentorship programme. It is an outstanding professional initiative that empowers women in WASH to grow, learn, and advance their careers. I am deeply grateful for the knowledge, confidence, and opportunities it has given me.

      To join RWSN and be informed about the next round of the mentoring programme, please sign up here.

      Mentorship That Flows: My Journey in the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programs

      This is a guest blog by Esther Lydia Akol, who participated as a mentee in the RWSN and Women in WASH 2025 Mentorship Program.

      Photo: Esther (Mentee) with Community Water users after an Exchange Learning visist on Water Point Sustainability in Uganda

      When I joined the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programs in April 2025, I hoped to grow professionally and expand my network. What I didn’t expect was a six-month journey that would challenge my thinking, deepen my confidence, and transform the way I approach leadership in rural water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). From meaningful conversations with my mentor to new global opportunities, these programs has shown me that mentorship is not just guidance; it is a ripple effect that strengthens communities, builds leadership, and fuels sustainable change.

      My name is Esther Lydia Akol, a Ugandan WASH professional with The Water Trust. I joined the mentorship program to grow professionally, expand my network, and strengthen my leadership in promoting sustainable and inclusive rural water systems. Coordinated by the Rural Water Supply Network (RWSN) and Agenda for Change, the programs pair emerging professionals with experienced mentors to foster leadership, learning, and collaboration. It is more than a capacity-building effort; it is a platform for women to find their voices, share experiences, and lead change in communities and organizations.

      Discovering Strength in Shared Experience

      My mentor, Elon Ryan Sooknanan (PMP, MSc(Eng), MBA), brought a wealth of experience and a genuine spirit of guidance. Our monthly conversations went beyond technical discussions; they explored how sustainability, equity, and innovation intersect to make WASH initiatives more effective and inclusive. Through his mentorship, I learned to communicate with clarity, set achievable goals, and adopt a systems approach to rural water challenges.

      Perhaps the most transformative lesson was realizing that mentorship is a two-way flow. While I learned from my mentor’s experiences, I also shared reflections from my work in Uganda’s rural communities. Together, we explored how local realities inform global strategies and how personal growth strengthens professional impact.

      During this period, my mentor introduced me to Transformations Leeds (UK), a charity offering apprenticeship and coaching programmes in leadership. I was awarded a one-year apprenticeship and an additional six-month coaching opportunity focused on leadership, sustainable solutions, and climate change. Alongside this, he shared resources on scholarships and WASH knowledge platforms, which I continue to explore to expand my learning and global perspective. This experience demonstrated that mentorship often extends far beyond formal programme sessions, opening doors to lasting professional growth and collaboration.

      Bridging Knowledge, Confidence, and Community

      Beyond one-on-one mentoring, the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programs connected me with a diverse community of professionals committed to improving the sustainability and inclusivity of WASH services. Peer-learning sessions and resource-sharing platforms provided spaces for dialogue, reflection, and practical problem-solving.

      What stood out most was the sense of community. Our mentor created a WhatsApp group for all the mentees he was mentoring, connecting us with WASH professionals from different regions and countries. Each participant brought a unique perspective, yet we shared a common determination to make a difference. Stories of resilience from across the globe reminded me that collaboration is one of the most powerful tools for advancing rural water supply.

      Lessons That Will Flow Forward for me

      Reflecting on this journey, I carry forward lessons that will guide my WASH and community development work:

      1. Mentorship multiplies impact. Guiding others strengthens leadership, knowledge-sharing, and the sustainability of development efforts.
      2. Diversity enhances problem-solving. Global exchanges between mentors and mentees bridge context-specific and universal challenges.
      3. Confidence grows through support. Having someone believe in your potential helps dismantle self-doubt and nurtures leadership courage.
      4. Networks are transformative. The mentoring programs connected me to a vibrant community of practitioners who continue to inspire collaboration.
      5. Gender equity drives sustainability. Empowering women in WASH leadership fosters inclusive, resilient, and community-driven systems.

      A Call to Future Mentees and Mentors

      To women joining future mentorship cycles: embrace every session, challenge, and conversation with openness and curiosity. Ask questions, share your story, and listen deeply to others. The RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programs’ true strength lies in mutual learning, where every perspective contributes to shaping a more inclusive and resilient WASH sector.

      To professionals considering mentorship: your experience and time are powerful investments in the next generation of WASH leaders. Mentorship is not about having all the answers; it is about guiding reflection, nurturing curiosity, and helping others grow in confidence and skill. Every shared insight strengthens a global community working toward sustainable rural water services.

      Conclusion: When Women Lead, WASH Thrives

      Participating in the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentorship Programs has been deeply transformative. It reaffirmed that sustainable water supply is not only about infrastructure—it is about people, relationships, and shared learning.

      As I continue my work in Uganda, I carry the lessons of mentorship: the power of connection, the strength of collaboration, and the hope that when women lead, communities thrive. Every act of guidance creates ripples of change, ripples that sustain clean water, dignity, and opportunity for all.

      About the author:

      Esther Lydia Akol is a WASH Officer with The Water Trust in Uganda. She is passionate about sustainable WASH solutions, gender equity, and empowering rural communities to build resilient rural water systems.

      Photo: Esther (Mentee) facilitating a community WASH Committee Meeting in Uganda

      To join RWSN and be informed about the next round of the mentoring programme, please sign up here.

      Mentorship: The Highlight of My WASH Journey

      This is a guest blog by Kachusha Nkosha, who participated as a mentee in the RWSN and Women in WASH 2025 Mentorship Program.

      Being part of the RWSN and Women in WASH Mentoring Programs has been one of the most defining experiences of my professional journey. Having previously mentored in the health sector, I joined the program eager to contribute, but what unfolded went far beyond expectation. It became a season of personal growth, deeper purpose, and renewed conviction in the power of mentorship as a tool for transformation.

      I was privileged to be mentored by Dr. Marie Christine Faye, a woman whose wisdom, humility, and global WASH experience profoundly shaped my outlook. Her mentorship went beyond career guidance; it encouraged reflection, strategic thinking, and a systems approach to leadership. Through her example, I learned that great mentors do not simply provide answers, they create space for discovery, confidence, and courage.

      As a mentor myself, I was paired with two exceptional mentees under the hygiene programming track. One of them, Ms. Samira Nassir, displayed remarkable growth and commitment. Her ability to absorb lessons and translate them into tangible progress was inspiring. Our exchanges were grounded in openness, curiosity, and a shared determination to make a difference. My second mentee faced challenges balancing professional and personal responsibilities, as she was not engaged full-time, but I shared resources that she affirmed were valuable. However, even that experience carried important lessons. I continued to share resources, encouragement, and opportunities, reaffirming that mentorship is not about perfection — it is about planting seeds of belief and resilience that grow in their own time.

      This program validated one of my strongest personal values, the value of supporting others to rise. It reminded me that true leadership is measured not by personal achievement, but by the impact we create in others. This belief has always guided me and was at the heart of my TEDx Talk, where I spoke about the transformative power of mentorship and the ripple effect it creates in communities. The RWSN program gave that philosophy new depth, connecting it to a global community of women equally passionate about change.

      Beyond professional development, this experience strengthened my resolve to continue advancing in the WASH field, particularly in systems strengthening. It inspired me to pursue higher studies and deepen my understanding of how sustainable change is built — not only through projects, but through empowered people, resilient systems, and collaborative leadership.

      Looking ahead, I am more determined than ever to contribute meaningfully at local, regional, and global levels — championing women’s leadership, innovation, and inclusivity within WASH. The RWSN and Women in WASH Mentoring Programs have reaffirmed my belief that when we lift others, we lift ourselves — and when women lead with empathy and vision, entire systems transform.

      Photo: Kachusha Nkosha mentoring the youth WASH Ambassadors Club – the first WASH Club in Zambia led by youths.

      To join RWSN and be informed about the next round of the mentoring programme, please sign up here.

      Pastoralists and Water 4 – Are new water supplies in the Horn of Africa drylands the solution for pastoralists’ resilience or part of the problem?

      By Jackson Wachira, Masresha Taye, Hussein Wario and Nancy Balfour

      “In this fourth blog in the series, I hand over to Jackson Wachira, Masreesha Taya, Hussein Wario and Nancy Balfour who have a thought-provoking blog for us concerning water supplies in the Horn of Africa. It begs us to ask whether the findings from this research in Ethiopia and Kenya could change perceptions about how water development is affecting pastoralist communities?” Dr Kerstin Danert

      This blog was originally published by Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises (SPARC) on this webpage in August 2024. 

      In recent years, parts of the Horn of Africa have seen large investments in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, or ‘WASH’ as a way to build resilience to droughts. In Kenya alone, investments by civil society organisations increased by over 200% between 2017 and 2019, with a significant proportion focusing on drylands. 

      WASH investments come in many forms and shapes. They include the drilling of new boreholes and rehabilitation of old ones, installation of diesel and solar power systems, water resource management, water trucking, improved sanitation and ‘capacity building’. 

      For many development actors, the premise is that WASH investments such as these enhance the resilience of dryland communities against shocks, including climate-induced shocks such as drought. 

      But are investments in new water supplies in the drylands a solution, or part of the problem? 

      Ongoing SPARC* research in Marsabit, Northern Kenya and the Somali region of Ethiopia unpacks some nuances around water development. Interviewing community members, resource managers, elders, and both governmental and non-governmental individuals who are actively engaged in water development led us to striking findings. While the establishment of new water supplies has generally enhanced people’s access to water, overall these new investments have eroded – rather than enhanced – the resilience of pastoral communities. 

      Camels drinking from a trough. Credit: Masresha Taye.

      Settlement and depleting resources 

      First, water supply systems, including deep boreholes, have led to increased settlement in areas which pastoralists traditionally reserve for dry-season grazing. Discussions with communities revealed that, while new water supplies have enhanced access to water, particularly for women and children who are designated water collectors for the family, they have also attracted other communities who frequently access these resources. Overuse of these crucial ‘fallback’ grazing areas – which pastoralists reserve for livestock in non-rainy seasons – has led to overgrazing, increasing pastoralists’ exposure to drought. Settlement has also affected the pasture reserves and seed banks around villages where water supplies are installed.

      Moreover, the frequent movement of large numbers of livestock has created tension and multiple incidents of conflict between host and incoming communities. Local communities view water points as vulnerable targets for livestock raids, which heightens their sense of insecurity.

      In many cases, communities shared with us that they had not been adequately consulted about the new water sources, and their unpopularity has led to backlash. In one area, due to the absence of community consultation, a civil society organisation was prevented from installing power to a borehole by the community who thought doing so would open up the area to new settlements. We also observed cases of water sources being destroyed by local communities, who feared such developments would attract outsiders to come and settle. 

      Overlapping water management regimes

      Secondly, water developers’ failure to adequately integrate traditional water management structures undermines the success of projects.

      Among Kenyan Borana communities, for instance, there is a person responsible for managing community water resources in ways that ensure cleanliness and fair access to all community members, including those migrating from other regions. This person, known as the aba erega, still helps manage water supplies today, but they have been overshadowed by newer Water Management Committees, which have become a key condition for partners investing in new water supplies.

      The role of the Water Management Committee includes collecting fees that ostensibly go into repairing and maintaining new water supplies. However, most of the water supplies we visited were described by communities as highly unreliable, often breaking down a few months after they have been installed. The result has been widespread contestation among water users, who blame committee members for embezzling community funds while overseeing water systems that do not serve them when they need them most. Due to the high unreliability of many water systems in these areas, communities revert to walking long distances to access water, heavily impacting human and animal health, particularly during drought. By contrast, traditional water supplies run by indigenous water management appear to be much more reliable.

      Poor quality

      The third key issue which SPARC research uncovered is the poor quality of most of the new water supplies. In many areas, communities stated that they experience severe diarrhoea and stomach pains when they consume water from some boreholes because of high salinity, which affects both the people and the livestock that rely on them. The result is that water sources are often not used. In Ethiopia’s Somali region, for example, the government has developed deep boreholes in areas previously devoid of water supplies – but after initial enthusiasm, pastoralists have switched to traditional water sources due to health concerns. 

      The issue with salinity is recognised by government water offices, and some actors have attempted to address this challenge by installing desalination plants. However, possibly due to their complex nature, the desalination plans are not operating effectively, with one community contending that their plant worked well for a short time, before starting to discharge water that was even more saline. 

      Reimagining water resilience in the drylands

      The provision of clean water for people and livestock is critical for the resilience of dryland communities. Yet the current approach of free-for-all investment focused only on the number of new water supplies and number of people reached often serves to undermine, rather than enhance, pastoralists’ resilience to shocks. 

      What does effective pastoralist water development look like? Our research suggests some ways forward.  Efforts should be made to adequately integrate traditional governance mechanisms in the management of water supplies; failure to do so enhances social fragmentation and conflict. And urgent action needs to be taken to desalinate the toxic water that communities in these regions continue to consume every day, and improve desalination technologies so they are easier for communities to repair themselves. 

      Perhaps most importantly, development actors must acknowledge that mobile pastoralism remains the key adaptation strategy for pastoralist communities in the Horn of Africa. Water development projects must take the threats of settlement around water sources, and its attendant problems, seriously if they want to contribute to building resilience in the drylands.

      The research for was carried out under SPARC-funded programme carried out by the Centre for Research and Development in Drylands (CRDD) and Masresha Taye (independent researcher) in collaboration with the Centre for Humanitarian Change. Findings from the research will be published in a Technical Report and Policy Brief on SPARC website in May 2025. A photo essay on the same is available here. A video presentation of the findings was recorded at World Water Week 2024 and available here

      * SPARC refers to the six-year programme entitled Supporting Pastoralism and Agriculture in Recurrent and Protracted Crises

      GLOBAL DRIVERS AND PHENOMENA: ADVANCING GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN WASH

      Photo 1. Female Peacekeeper overseeing water supply in Chad. Source:  Our Secure Future, accessed October 2024

      Blog by Euphresia Luseka, co-lead of the RWSN Leave No-one Behind theme.

      The UN WWDR 2026 shall serve as a vital resource, illustrating how global trends and phenomena are reshaping gender dynamics in societies around the world. The interplay between conflict, migration, and gender equity in WASH reveals stark realities. In regions afflicted by conflict and instability, women’s safety and access to essential services are severely compromised.

      A poignant testimony from a woman in Gaza encapsulates this struggle: “We [women] cannot meet our simplest and most basic needs: eating well, drinking safe water, accessing a toilet, having sanitary pads, taking a shower, changing our clothes.”

      The plight of women in conflict zones is further exacerbated by migration. Women and girls face an increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence during conflicts. Yet, amid these challenges, women remain indispensable agents of change—actively participating in peace-building, conflict resolution, and post-conflict reconstruction. This resilience highlights the need to recognize and harness women’s potential for positive transformation in their communities.

      Migration and its intersection and climate change also alters traditional gender roles and expectations, as families adapt to new environments; it presents opportunities for economic independence and education, empowering them to challenge restrictive gender norms. Still Migrant women often encounter exploitation, discrimination, and limited access to resources, underscoring the urgent need to address these barriers.

      Corruption emerges as another formidable barrier to WASH and gender equity. It restricts women’s access to essential services and undermines their participation in leadership and decision-making processes, as demonstrated in weaponisation of water.  U.N. Women has called for urgent action to protect Sudanese women and girls, emphasizing the need for accountability in addressing high levels of sexual violence and exploitation. “We cannot let Sudan become a forgotten crisis,” asserts U.N. Women’s Addou, highlighting the critical necessity for action in conflict-affected regions.

      On my blog on Diversity in Water sector leadership I emphasise the concerning underrepresentation of women. A World Bank report highlights that less than 18% of the workforce in water utilities are women and that two-thirds of sanitation leaders are white according to a FLUSH LLC publication that I co-authored. This systemic inequity reflects deeper societal structures, suggesting that without diverse leadership, the water sector risks stagnation and failure in meeting SDG6 targets.

      Continue reading “GLOBAL DRIVERS AND PHENOMENA: ADVANCING GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN WASH”

      EMPOWERING PROGRESS: THE UN WWDR 2026 REPORT ELEVATES GENDER AND WATER DISCOURSE

      Featured photo: March 2024, Women in Figuig, Eastern Morocco marching during the biweekly protests against water privatisation. Source AP News.

      Blog by Euphresia Luseka, co-lead of the RWSN Leave No-one Behind theme.

      As the waves of time crash upon the shore of progress, a mighty force is rising. These waves carry the strength of female leaders, revolutionising the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. To mark another milestone in the pursuit of a sustainable future, the upcoming United Nations World Water Development Report (UN WWDR 2026), will shine a spotlight on a critical yet oft-overlooked aspect of the global water crisis: the inextricable link between gender and water, illuminating a path towards a more sustainable and equitable future. UNWWDR 2026 is not merely an echo of problems, but an inspiring melody of change, empowerment, and sustainable future.

      It is not just about women being disproportionately affected by lack of safe WASH access and representation in its management, but it is also about recognising the power of women as managers and catalysts for change in the WASH sector. From the pioneers in Indonesia like Retno Marsudi, UN 1st Special Envoy on Water, the indigenous Mexican women water stewards using ancient techniques passing them down to generations to preserve water in the drought-prone Oaxaca region to the relentless Figuig women of Morocco who marched in protest for several months to amplify water rights voices against water privatization and the ‘humming bird’ Nobel laureate Wangari Maathai from my country Kenya, on water catchment protection efforts, all serve as a powerful reminder that one person can create waves of change.

      Water and Economic Poverty: How the Global Water Crisis Disproportionately Affects Women

      The global water crisis is a crisis of inequalities disproportionately affecting women.

      As we celebrate these and more trailblazing women in water leaders, the world inches closer to the 2030 deadline for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with women still left behind. The United Nations’ Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking Water (GLAAS) 2019 report reveals that a staggering 78% of countries have incorporated specific policies or strategies to promote gender equality in water and sanitation. On the other hand, the International Decade for Action (2018-2028) calls to address gender disparities in WASH access.

      Alongside the progress, we also confront persistent gaps. Gaps that threaten to undermine our hard-won achievements, forming a path that recognizes the interconnected nature of WASH-related challenges and the need for inclusive solutions.

      Terms like sex and gender may seem straightforward but their nuances hold profound implications for how we perceive and address WASH and gender issues. UNICEF defines Sex as the biological and physical differences between women and men while Gender as socially constructed differences in attributes and opportunities associated with being a woman, man, girl, or boy and to the social interactions and relations between women and men. Woman refers to biological females according to UNOHCR. In my view this affirms the gap in the context of WASH statistics where WASH data is often disaggregated by sex, but rarely disaggregated by gender.

      Imagine a world where the simple act of accessing safe WASH does not dictate one’s ability to attend school, earn an income, or live a life free from danger. A world where our mothers, sisters, and daughters are not disproportionately burdened with the responsibility of fetching water, but are empowered managers and change agents in WASH initiatives. For more than two billion people around the globe, particularly women and girls, this is a distant reality. The latest stark metrics reveal a concerning reality: despite progress, millions of women and girls worldwide still lack access to safe WASH services, hindering their empowerment, health, and economic opportunities. This world, although still a distant reality, is one we must strive for, beginning with a deep understanding of the water-gender nexus.

      Women are 2.5 times more likely to be responsible for water collection, yet they hold only 17% of the paid jobs in the water sector as confirmed by a Women for Water Partnerships Report. UN Women adds another layer of concern revealing that in 2022 a quarter of women globally lacked access to safely managed drinking water, and two-fifths lacked access to secure sanitation.

      The gendered impact of inadequate WASH access is not just a reflection of biological differences, but a manifestation of socially constructed disparities. It serves as a stark reminder that water is not just a women’s issue – it’s a human issue and Graph 1 below illustrates these realities.

      Graph 1 Proportion of households in which women, men, girls and boys are primarily responsible for water collection, by country, selected surveys where at least 10% of households collect water, 2012–2022 (%) Source UNICEF and WHO, 2023

      UN Water’s dictum concurs and aptly captures that “Water is a human right, not a privilege,” this blog series embodies a bold commitment to upholding the rights of all.

      The upcoming UN WWDR for 2026, aims to bridge this chasm by placing gender equity at the heart of WASH management and sustainability discussions. It stands as a pivotal blueprint for understanding the critical nexus between water and gender, presenting an urgent call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and stakeholders dedicated to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and water-secure world. By weaving together, a rich narrative of data, case studies, and expert insights, the report shall transcend mere enumeration of challenges to celebrate the resilience and ingenuity of women who are at the forefront of change within the WASH sector. It shall compellingly argue that embedding gender equality and social inclusion into water policy and practice is not just a moral imperative but a pragmatic necessity for achieving all SDGs especially SDG 5 and 6. Statistical evidence revealing the extensive failures of undervaluing women’s expertise in WASH management will be juxtaposed with success stories of women-led interventions that have illuminated pathways towards peace, prosperity, and sustainability. As the report critically examines the barriers that women and girls face in accessing safe WASH, it shall highlight the detrimental impacts of gender disparities in decision-making roles, pushing the narrative beyond mere awareness to active transformation. With a focus on fostering gender-responsive approaches in the WASH sector, the UN WWDR 2026 shall serve not only as a repository of insightful analysis but as a clarion call for disruptive change, intended to inspire dialogue and galvanize global commitment towards a future where equitable access to safe WASH is a universal reality.

      Weaving threads of knowledge and trust across the world: Part 2 (Listening to Latin America)

      by Sean Furey, Director, RWSN Secretariat

      Nearly 30 years ago I began my first steps into a career in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Guatemala. In the morning mist, there was the dull clank of the school bell. It was an old bombshell that had been dropped on the village at some point during the thirty-year civil war. On that day it was guiding children to lessons. The clothes of the people, particularly the women, were amazing. Incredibly colourful and ornately woven, and each is distinctive to that community.

      Today, my job is a different type of weaving, but no less colourful. In my previous post, I described how we, as RWSN and SuSanA, have been working with the Multilateral Development Banks, bilateral aid agencies, NGOs and researchers to weave a new narrative for rural WASH – one of learning from each other to achieve universal and lasting access.

      But success doesn’t come from top-down actions only, there also needs to be a meeting with bottom-up energy, experience and initiative. Thanks to the support from SDC and IDB, through the SIRWASH project, we have had the opportunity to connect and listen to what regional practitioners are interested in and find ways to collaborate.

      On 24 October, our partner, Lourdes Valenzuela from Aguatuya/SuSanA Latinoamérica co-hosted an online meeting with fellow WASH networks: “Conversatorio virtual: Escuchando las voces del sector de agua y saneamiento rural en Latinoamérica” (Online Conversation: Listening to the Voices of Rural Water and Sanitation Leaders in Latin America)

      This 80-minute session, co-hosted with COLSAR, connected experts from diverse backgrounds to identify current sector demands and innovative approaches for improving rural water and sanitation management.

      Themes and Objectives

      The session, moderated by Marcelo Encalada from LatinWASH, sought to:

      • Identify essential knowledge areas and skills for strengthening rural water and sanitation services.
      • Explore digital tools and resources that could improve access to critical knowledge.
      • Examine the role of digital platforms such as SuSanA and LatinWASH in promoting sustainable solutions.

      Panelist Contributions and Key Takeaways

      Continue reading “Weaving threads of knowledge and trust across the world: Part 2 (Listening to Latin America)”