Where Water Flows, Equality Grows
Women Shaping the Present and Future of Water
14:00–15:30 CET | Tuesday, 10 March 2026 | Online (Zoom)
Background
To jointly celebrate International Women’s Day (8 March) and World Water Day (22 March), the International Water Resources Association (IWRA) invites you to a timely and thought-provoking webinar exploring the deep interconnection between water security and gender equality.
Since 1993, United Nations World Water Day has mobilised action to address the global water crisis and advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6): Clean Water and Sanitation for All. In 2026, the global theme for this international Observance is “Water and Gender”. Under the slogan “Where water flows, equality grows” this year’s World Water Day highlights the critical truth: while water challenges affect everyone, women and girls often experience disproportionate impacts due to persistent inequalities in roles, resources, and decision-making power.
Globally, women represent slightly more than 20% of the workforce in the water sector. Increasing gender balance within the sector is essential to ensure that water services are designed and delivered in ways that meet everyone’s needs. (source: UN-Water).
Achieving universal access to safe water and sanitation (SDG 6) is near impossible without advancing Gender Equality, SDG 5. Inclusive governance is not optional; it is foundational to sustainable water management. Because resilient water futures are built when everyone has a seat at the table.
About the webinar
Join global leaders, youth voices, and critical scholars as we examine:
- How gender norms and institutional power structures shape water governance
- The role of women’s leadership and agency in driving systemic change
- Youth perspectives on reshaping global water priorities
Critical reflections on masculinity and traditional power dynamics in the water sector - Practical pathways for advancing gender-responsive and transformative approaches
Through keynote insights, interactive exchanges, and moderated discussion, this participatory event will create space for meaningful dialogue and forward-looking collaboration.
Speakers
Moderator
- Renée Martin-Nagle – IWRA Secretary General
Keynote
- Cecilia Tortajada – IWRA Former President & Honorary Member/ Honorary Professor, University of Glasgow / Adjunct Senior Fellow, Nanyang Technological University
Youth in Water
- Ayend-Christ Daou – IWRA World Water Envoy
- Meg John – Founder, Blue Current Consultancy
- Rewa Assi – IWRA Early Career and Young Professional Task Force Chair
Presentations and Discussion
- Kris Hartley, Assistant Professor, Arizona State University / Author of Deconstructing Masculinity in Water Governance
- Glen Kuecker, Professor, DePauw University / Author of
- Deconstructing Masculinity in Water Governance
- Anna Kosovac, Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne/ Author of Masculinity and smart water management: why we need a critical perspective
- Raya Marina Stephan, Editor-in-Chief of Water International and IWRA Project Officer, leading the upcoming report on “Water and Gender: Towards women’s equal rights and opportunities”.
