By the IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG6 Fellowship (2nd cohort)
What is the status of women’s and girls’ rights, equality, and empowerment in the global water sector today? The Fourteen Young Water Professionals (YWPs) of the second cohort of the IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellowship explored this pressing question. Selected with balanced gender diversity, this cohort exemplifies the advancing path to gender equality in the water and sanitation sector, a topic of importance for the YWPs.
The group recognises the daily challenges surrounding this issue: globally, women shoulder the majority of unpaid labour related to water, sanitation, and hygiene in homes and communities all around the world. As a result, many aspects of their lives may be affected, including education. “After the December 2024 earthquake in Vanuatu, we visited the largest affected community whose water system had failed. While searching for the water source with the Chief, a young girl guided us directly to it, using her lived experience”, shares Micheala Chan, from the United Kingdom and currently living in Vanuatu. Meg Cummins, who works in Cambodia, adds that “In remote communities, seasonal flooding means many communities live in floating villages for part of every year. At night time, women risk their lives just to defecate”. Kamran Azizli, from Azerbaijan, adds that “Water is not just a resource—it is the lifeline that sustains communities and unlocks the door to escaping poverty. Without it, opportunities vanish, leaving dreams parched in the relentless heat”. Ramanuj Mitra, from India, notes that “The governments have been working to bring basic sanitation and water infrastructure in the entire country, but it is a long way to go before effective coverage is achieved”.
“No one should ever have to struggle for such a fundamental necessity. Access to clean water is a basic human right and the difference it can make in people’s lives is immense”, emphasises Irene Mas Martin, from Spain. To foster a more inclusive approach, women must be actively engaged as catalysts for economic growth while driving sustainable solutions to the water crisis. Patience Wema, from Kenya, shares an encouraging example of how providing safe and reliable water access to rural African communities has empowered women, as they regain their time to engage in income-generating activities like small-scale trade. From Canada, Karl Zimmermann agrees that “women’s intimate awareness of a family’s water needs, along with the local values, preferences, and decision-making structures, means that it is critical they are elevated to leadership roles in developing safe water solutions.” Emmanuel Nketiah Ahenkorah, from Ghana, adds another example: “Instead of trekking for hours to distant locations to collect water, women leveraged locally available transport systems to create a central point where people could easily access water”.
The YWPs also highlighted some of the challenges female workers in the professional water and sanitation sector. Hadi Mokarizadeh, from Iran, reflects: “When I was an undergraduate student, I noticed a big difference between the number of male and female students in different engineering fields. After talking to some of the students, I realised their families or society had influenced their choice, thinking certain fields were only for men”. Elia Simonet, from France, adds that “On top of social understandings dictating women’s working engagement, women professionals often face significant ingrained gender-based discrimination, which contribute to ongoing inequalities”.
However, positive changes are emerging: Nathalia da Mata, from Brazil, shares, “When I started working with urban drainage, I was the only female employee of the office. Now, I work with two more female direct coworkers, besides the chief of the Secretariat, who is also a woman”. Radhika Boargaonkar, from India, notes that her country is also home to remarkable women leaders in the sector, who serve as inspirations for aspiring professionals “Empowered women empower water—breaking barriers, shaping futures”. Thomas Philip Da Jose, from the Philippines, emphasises the male responsibility in championing gender equity: “The focus should shift from simply counting women’s representation to embedding inclusive practices that acknowledge biological realities and socio-cultural factors”. Monica Ndagire, from Uganda, adds, “We should include women in decision-making since they have a key contribution to social welfare and experience most challenges first-hand”.
Reflecting on the theme of the 2025 International Women’s Day, the second cohort of the IWA & Grundfos Youth Action for SDG 6 Fellows highlights both the significant progress made and the persistent challenges in achieving gender equality in the water and sanitation sector. While more women are stepping into leadership roles and contributing to decision-making processes, deeply ingrained societal norms, structural barriers, and disparities in access to resources continue to hinder full gender equity.
These young professionals embody a generation committed to dismantling barriers, fostering sustainable change, and driving a shift toward policies and practices that recognise the critical role of women in water security and sanitation. Their voices amplify the urgency of ensuring that gender equity is not just an aspiration but a fundamental principle guiding global water governance and development efforts. By championing women’s empowerment, promoting equitable access to clean water, and advocating for meaningful participation in leadership and decision-making, they are shaping a future where no one is left behind. With the continued support of IWA and its partners, their collective efforts will contribute to a more just, inclusive, and water-secure world—one where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive with dignity and purpose.
