Since 1993 the global community has been observing every year on March 22 the World Water Day (WWD) focusing attention on the importance of fresh water and advocating for sustainable management of water resources. A core focus of WWD is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6 on water and sanitation for all by 2030. Since women and girls are disproportionately affected by water-related challenges due to entrenched gender roles, inadequate infrastructure, under representation, etc., the WWD 2026 calls for a rights-based approach where women have equal voice, leadership and opportunities for water decision making.

Thus, the theme of WWD 2026 is “Water and Gender Equality”. The role of women in water governance was initially considered in 1992 at the International Dublin (Ireland) Global Conference. Principle 3 of the Dublin Statement establishes that women play a central part in the provision, management and safeguarding of water and therefore, positive policies need to be adopted not only to address the specific needs of women with respect to water, but also to empower them to participate at all levels of the water resources programme, including decision making and implementation. It was also observed that although in households, women are primary providers of water resources, around the world, they are rarely involved in water management.

Even today the world is still far from achieving gender equality in water and sanitation. These challenges are now exacerbated by the consequences of climate change. As water scarcity, heat waves and droughts are now common, women and girls walk greater distances to fetch water. In many cases this can affect girls’ chances for being enrolled in schools. A study shows that a one-hour time reduction in water collection can increase girls’ enrolment in educational institutions. Ensuring safe and widespread access to WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) for women and girls contributes to gender equality and their inclusion in society.

Until recently menstrual hygiene was completely overlooked in water and sanitation places, excluding women and girls in public life. During this time girls miss school, and women are sometimes forced to stay at home affecting their employment. Thus, we generally risk the 2030 SDG Agenda, as access to water and sanitation are human rights. When families are unable to enjoy their rights, their health is immensely affected, curtailing their education and employment opportunities and denying their full role in society. The SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) are interrelated and the Paris Agreement also endorses gender response action as essential for climate resilience.

Integrating a gender responsive approach is not only fair but also necessary. When women participate fully, communities benefit from a wide range of perspectives, strong local ownership and innovative problem-solving approaches for achieving sustainable, equitable water solutions. Globally 26 per cent of women and girls (1.1 billion) lack access to safely managed drinking water; in 53 countries where data exists, women and girls spend 250 million hours per day on water collection, which is over three times more than men and boys; worldwide only two out of five schools provide menstrual health education; adolescent girls and women living in rural areas are more likely to use reusable materials to manage menstruation and to have no improved water services on the premises; 1.8 billion people in the world still do not have drinking water on their premises and in two out of three households women are primarily responsible for water collection; adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years are less likely to participate in work, school and social activities during menstruation compared with women aged 20 to 49; fewer than 50 countries have laws and policies that specifically mention women’s participation in rural sanitation and water resources management, while supplying almost half of all agricultural labour in low and middle income countries, and women’s agricultural productivity is on an average 20-30 per cent lower than male farmers.

(FAO 2017, WHO/UNICEF 2019-25, UN Water 2021, UN Women 2024-25). In 2019 the government introduced the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) scheme (called Har Ghar Jal) for enhancing rural water governance for achieving SDG goals and providing clean water access to rural households. Till 11 February 2026, out of 19.25 crore rural households in India, about 15.88 crore get piped water access in their homes. JJM’s initiative is not for creating infrastructure but for water service delivery. Village Water and Sanitation Committee/Pani Samiti or user groups (with 50 per cent women participation) are required to plan, implement, manage, operate, and maintain their own water supply systems.

Four key pillars of government such as People’s Participation, stakeholder participation, political will, and optimum utilization of resources define the spirit of the JJM. People’s participation or Jan Bhagidari is also an important pillar for success. JJM made space for women to share water supply decisions directly and it has developed a gender-responsive approach to water management by empowering women while improving water service delivery. JJM’s decentralized community-owned approach means that women are not only consulted but they are also decision makers.

In Bundelkhand region, these JJM programmes offer training to farmers in developing technical skills like constructing check dams and participating in rainwater harvesting. Under the JJM schemes five persons, especially women, in every village are being trained to check the quality of water supply using simple ‘ready to use’ kits. JJM mandates 50 per cent women’s representation in Village Water and Sanitation Committees. Women are increasingly involved in testing, maintaining and managing water infrastructure. Women are increasingly involved in technical and operational roles such as managing water supply systems. In Odisha women take the role of water managers and independent water users breaking away from traditional restrictive roles.

Gujarat incentivizes women-led water committees. In Himachal Pradesh women are actively involved in rainwater harvesting projects ensuring that during the dry season there is continuous water supply. ‘Nari Shakti Se Jal Shakti’ schemes promote water conservation in many states such as Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, etc. In Maharashtra women play an important role in adopting micro-irrigation techniques for increasing water-use efficiency in agriculture. In Rajasthan, women-led groups build check dams, leading to improved ground water levels and ensuring water availability. Despite the progress as indicated above, women’s participation is often restricted by patriarchal norms particularly in decision-making processes regarding water distribution, pricing, maintenance etc.

There is a need to reverse this trend in the near future. In the Water Policy of the Central and state governments, there is a need to emphasize women empowerment in all aspects of water management. The Bundelkhand approach on water management should be followed in other states for women’s participation in decision making in water governance. SDG Goal 5 (Gender equality) should be addressed in all water programmes in the country. Women should be water leaders, water managers, and technical experts in water governance and conservation. There is a need to ensure legal and policy reforms that support equal rights of women in water management.

Second, by using AI techniques, adequate data and knowledge on women’s participation in water management should be publicized effectively. Third, in every water programme, incentives to women should be given. These could be financial incentives or clear and well publicised recognition. The Women Water Champion Programme (WWCP) of the National Water Mission which recognizes 41 women every year at grassroots level for leading efforts in water conservation and amplifying women’s voice in decision-making, should be adequately publicized and effectively implemented.

Such programmes should also be introduced in all states of India. Fourth, capacity building of women for water management should be adopted by involving different stakeholders, experts, NGOs, policy makers etc. There should be a facilitating platform for women, for showing the best practices influencing water policies. Finally, SDG 13 (Climate Action) stresses the need to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Since women and girls will be most affected in water resource management for water access, climate resilient remedial action should be addressed in all government policies/programmes.

(The writer is Senior Advisor, TERI, New Delhi and a former Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources, Govt. of India)

Beach cleanup on World Water Day 

World Water Day, which is celebrated annually on 22 March, witnessed Electrosteel Castings Limited taking a step towards environmental responsibility by organising a Beach Cleaning Drive at Bakkhali Beach, West Bengal.

PM Modi reaffirms commitment to water conservation on World Water Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India's commitment to conserve water and promote sustainable development.

Mark Twain once remarked that “Whisky is for drinking; water is for fighting over.” Fresh water is a very precious and limited natural resource even though water covers about 71 per cent of the earth’s surface.

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