Secure Water Futures: Empowering Women for Sustainable Solutions

As we commemorate Women's History Month and World Water Day, we delve into global water dynamics, considering its disproportionate impact on women. Water stands as a pivotal axis around which life and thus sustainability revolves.? Water security presents a challenge in light of statistical projections of the imbalances and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

State of Water:

The state of water resources worldwide is precarious. With increasing population growth, urbanization, industrialization, and climate change, the water demand continues to surge. According to the UN, by 2030, the global water demand is expected to exceed sustainable supply by 40%.

Furthermore, water quality is also a concern, with pollution and contamination threatening the availability of safe drinking water for millions. This poses significant health risks and exacerbates social and economic inequalities, hitting marginalized communities, particularly women and children, the hardest.

Global Status:

Let's unpack some key statistics that underscore the current global status of water, sourced from?UN-Water:

• Drinking Water:?As of 2022, 73% of the world's population has access to a safely managed drinking water service, according to SDG indicator 6.1.1.
• Sanitation:?About 57% of the global population utilizes a safely managed sanitation service, as indicated by SDG indicator 6.2.1a.
• Hygiene:?Approximately 75% of the global populace has access to a handwashing facility with soap and water available at home, according to SDG indicator 6.2.1b.
• Wastewater:?Only 58% of the world's domestic wastewater undergoes safe treatment, according to SDG indicator 6.3.1.
• Water Quality:?Surprisingly, just 60% of monitored water bodies worldwide boast good ambient water quality, as per SDG indicator 6.3.2.
• Efficiency:?The global value added from the use of water stands at $19/m3 at the global level, according to SDG indicator 6.4.1.
• Water Stress:?Alarming figures reveal that 18% of the world's renewable water resources are being withdrawn, after considering environmental flow requirements, as indicated by SDG indicator 6.4.2.
• Water Management:?Merely 54% of the world has implemented integrated water resources management (IWRM) significantly, according to SDG indicator 6.5.1.
• Transboundary:?A significant 58% of the world's transboundary basin areas possess operational arrangements for water cooperation, as revealed by SDG indicator 6.5.2.
• Ecosystems:?Disturbingly, 21% of the world's water basins are undergoing rapid changes in surface water coverage, as per SDG indicator 6.6.1.
• Cooperation:?In 2020, the global amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance received stood at $8.7 billion, according to SDG indicator 6.a.1.
• Participation:?The global average number of sub-sectors with a high level of community participation stands at an encouraging level, as indicated by SDG indicator 6.b.1.

Burden on Women:

Women, often the primary caregivers in households and communities, bear the brunt of water scarcity. In many regions, they are responsible for fetching water, a task that can consume hours each day. This time-consuming chore limits their opportunities for education, economic empowerment, and participation in decision-making processes.

Moreover, women's roles in water management are undervalued and often overlooked, despite their deep knowledge of local water sources and management practices. Their exclusion from water governance perpetuates inequalities and hampers efforts to achieve sustainable water management.

Facts and Figures

• 1.8 billion people still do not have drinking water on-premises, and in two out of three households, women are primarily responsible for water collection.?(WHO/UNICEF, 2023) ?
• Fewer than 50 countries have laws or policies that specifically mention women’s participation in rural sanitation or water resources management. (UN-Water, 2021) ?
• More than 1 million women and girls say that WASH services are their second most important demand for quality reproductive and maternal health, after dignified and respectful care. (WHO/UNICEF, 2023) ?
• 1 million deaths each year are associated with unclean births. Infections account for 26% of neonatal deaths and 11% of maternal mortality. (WHO/UNICEF, 2019) ?
• While supplying almost half of all agricultural labour in low and middle-income countries, women’s agricultural productivity is on average 20–30% lower than male farmers. (FAO, 2017)

The Future of Water Security:

Empowering women in water management, integrating inclusive approaches, and fostering collaboration are pivotal steps toward ensuring a water-secure future. By embracing innovative solutions and leveraging the SDGs as guiding beacons, we can pave the way for sustainable water management practices that benefit all, regardless of gender or background.

As we commemorate Women's History Month and World Water Day, let's renew our commitment to water security and collective action, ensuring that the taps of opportunity and equality flow freely for generations to come.

For more information and detailed statistics, visit UN-Water's website.

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