The UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP) facilitates a coordinated Call for Action (CfA) to accelerate the achievement of gender equality in the water domain, together with a Multi-stakeholder Coalition composed by Member States institutions, UN agencies, international and regional organizations, NGOs, ODAs, private sector and civil society.
Achieving gender equality in the water domain is crucial for the accomplishment of standing international gender- and water-related commitments, including those enshrined in the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development - in particular, SDG 5 and 6 - and in numerous other international gender- and water-related commitments.
However, an extensive analysis, Taking Stock of Gender Equality Progress in the Water Domain, carried out by WWAP and the dedicated ‘Water and Gender Working Group’, has shown that progress towards the realization of these global promises is critically off track. Gender inequalities have been shown to persist at all levels in the water domain, thereby hindering development progress.
The key findings and concrete recommendations forming the basis for this Initiative have been presented in a collaborative Position Paper Accelerating Gender Equality in the Water Domain: A Call for Action, which is being supported by the members of the Multi-stakeholder Coalition.
Detailed information on the Initiative’s background, its objective, how it works, how to join it and the way forward, can be found here.
Turning the tide of gender inequalities in the water domain requires ambitious objectives and bold and concrete actions of as many relevant actors as possible. Therefore, WWAP and the Multi-stakeholder Coalition welcome the support of other Member States and interested partners in this global advocacy initiative, and encourage to advocate the development and implementation of gender-inclusive strategies, as well as catalyse and sustain transformative actions.
For further information and to join the Call for Action Initiative, please contact: waterandgendercallforaction@unesco.org
Launch events
The Call for Action was pre-launched in Latin America on June 30 2021 in a high-level online event, organised by the regional UNESCO offices of San Jose, Montevideo, and UNESCO WWAP.
On 12 July 2021, UNESCO WWAP organized an online information sessions to present the Call for Action to the UNESCO Member States’ permanent representatives.
The Call for Action was officially launched at global level at the World Water Week 2021. During two high-level session, on 23 and 25 August 2021, the Call for Action received messages of support from Heads of States, Ministers and other high-level authorities of various countries: Argentina, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Mexico,The Netherlands, Nigeria, Slovenia, Spain and Tajikistan.
On 30 September 2021, the 24th session of the IHP Intergovernmental Council passed Resolution XXIV-4, calling upon Member States to support the CfA Initiative, by joining the Multi-stakeholder Coalition and sustaining concrete actions in line with its specific recommendations.
On 13 October 2021, the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2021, UNESCO WWAP and the Women for Water Partnership organized a high-level EU Conference 'Accelerating Concrete Actions Towards Gender Equality in Water'. Representatives of countries (in addition to the aforementioned, The Czech Republic) and regional organizations (AMCOW and EU), as well as numerous non-state actors conveyed their message of support to gender transformative actions and the CfA Initiative.
Members of the CfA Multi-stakeholder Coalition
Resources
- Taking Stock of Gender Equality Progress in the Water Domain
- Policy Paper - Accelerating Gender Equality in the Water Domain: A Call for Action English | Español | French
- The Call for Action explained: Objectives and FAQ English | Español | French
- Download the social media messages to contribute to the dissemination of this important intiative, through your social media channels
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World Water Week 2021: Global launch of the Call– 23 August | 25 August
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High-level EU Conference 'Accelerating Concrete Actions Towards Gender Equality in Water'
Messages from the Multi-stakeholder Coalition in support of the CfA
African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW) - Mr. Thomas Banda, Acting Executive Secretary
Mr. Thomas Banda, Acting Executive Secretary of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW) delivers his supporting message for the “Call for Action - Accelerating Gender Equality in the Water Domain”, during the EU Conference on Water and Gender Equality titled ‘Accelerating concrete actions towards gender equality in water’, on 13 October 2021.
Argentina - Ms. Elizabeth Gómez Alcorta, Minister of Women, Genders and Diversity
"I want to resume and ratify on this occasion the historical vocation of my country in terms of international cooperation of water issue and share a message of support for this global call for action that precisely seeks to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women in the water domain".
Costa Rica - Ms. Haydée Rodríguez Romero, Vice Minister of Water and Ocean, Ministry of Environment and Energy
“Water policies that provide greater access to water for the use of all people help reduce only not poverty and inequality but also vulnerability”.
European Commission - Ms. Chantal Marijnissen, Director of Environment and Natural Resources Unit, DG INTPA
Ms. Chantal Marijnissen, Director of the Environment and Natural Resources Unit, DG International Partnerships (INTPA) of the European Commission delivers her message in support of the “Call for Action - Accelerating Gender Equality in the Water Domain".
Indonesia - Ms. Diana Kusumastuti, Director General for Human Settlements, Ministry of Public Works and Housing
"In order to ensure universal and equitable access to drinking water, Indonesia’s government commits in fulfilling the sustainable development goals".
Italy - Ms. Marina Sereni, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
"Italy is traditionally engaged in the promotion of international cooperation on water resources management".
Mexico - Ms. Silvia Chávez Cereceda, Director of International Cooperation, CONAGUA
"Gender justice is sequel to environmental justice, and the reflection of women in water is the reflection of our societies".
Nigeria - Mr. Suleiman Hussein Adamu, Minister of Water Resources
"The government of Nigeria is poised to focus more on supporting gender disaggregated population data for informing and motivating evidence-based advocacy policy and service planning".
Slovenia - Mr. Borut Pahor, President
"Slovenia will, throughout its presidency of the council of the EU, devote a special effort to water management and will strive to scale up the EU investments in water and gender equality".
Spain - Ms. Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge
Ms. Ribera Rodríguez Teresa, Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) of Spain; delivers a message in support of the “Call for Action - Accelerating Gender Equality in the Water Domain”.
Tajikistan - Mr. Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs
The Czech Republic, Mr. Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Non-European Countries, Economic and Development Cooperation
Mr. Martin Tlapa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Non-European Countries, Economic and Development Cooperation of the Czech Republic delivers his message in support of the “Call for Action - Accelerating Gender Equality in the Water Domain”.
The Netherlands - Ms. Kitty van der Heijden, Director General for International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The Netherlands
"We need to enable women to access the rights to water and sanitation, and to live in a health, clean, safe environment. And all of us together, we can get this done".
The Republic of Korea - Ms. Jeoung Ae Han, Minister of Environment of Korea
"I, myself, as both a woman and the head of our nation’s water management, am committed to making concrete efforts to ensure the meaningful participation of women in water sector policy making"