Water is fundamental to human health, food security, ecosystems, and economic development. However, the impacts of water scarcity and inadequate services are not experienced equally.

Globally, women and girls are disproportionately affected by limited access to safe water. More than one billion women still lack access to safely managed drinking water services. In households without water on premises, women and girls are often responsible for water collection. Across 53 countries, this responsibility amounts to an estimated 250 million hours every day.

Despite their central role in water management at the household and community levels, women remain underrepresented in formal water governance structures. Approximately 14 per cent of countries still lack mechanisms to ensure women’s equal participation in water management and decision-making processes. Evidence increasingly shows that inclusive water governance contributes to more sustainable and effective water management outcomes.

As the training arm of the UN, UNITAR supports countries and institutions in developing the knowledge and skills needed to address complex global challenges. Through capacity development, training and knowledge exchange, UNITAR works to strengthen water governance and support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal 6.

The UNITAR Global Water Academy plays a central role in this effort. Working with partners across regions—including Canada, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and the United Kingdom—the Academy provides training programmes for policymakers, water professionals and community leaders to strengthen water governance and integrate gender considerations into water management. These efforts also support collaboration in transboundary and climate-sensitive water contexts.

UNITAR also contributes to the UN-Water SDG 6 Capacity Development Initiative, supporting efforts to connect knowledge, policy development and implementation in the water sector.

UNITAR also expands access to learning opportunities through online courses. The recently launched free e-learning module “Gender and International Waters” on the UN CC:Learn platform provides practical guidance for integrating gender perspectives into water governance and the management of shared water resources.

Through the CIFAL Global Network, centres such as CIFAL Philippines also deliver professional training programmes that combine inclusive policymaking, gender considerations and community-based water solutions, helping to strengthen capacities at regional and local levels.

UNITAR Global Water Academy support women as agents of change. It continues expanding opportunities for women to access training and strengthen their leadership in water governance.

Many learners participating in these programmes come from developing countries, including Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. Through capacity development, UNITAR supports women and girls not only as beneficiaries of water services, but also as leaders and decision-makers contributing to sustainable water management.

Addressing the global water crisis requires inclusive and rights-based approaches that recognize the contributions and leadership of women in water governance.

UNITAR remains committed to working with UN-Water and CIFAL Global Network to strengthen capacity development, bridge global commitments with local action, and support women and girls as agents of change in water management through its Streams of Change webinar series

Advancing gender equality in water governance is essential for achieving sustainable water systems and ensuring a healthier and more resilient future for all.

Where water flows, equality must flow with it – for a more just, resilient, and sustainable future for all.