Collection
Women and Water
Gender inequalities are extensive in the water domain. In many parts of the world, women are the main persons responsible for providing water to the household and they often play a large role in taking care of community water and sanitation services and facilities. However, these responsibilities are often not accompanied by the authority to make water-related decisions. In addition, women are underreprestened at all levels in the formal water workforce: from institutional bodies that manage transboundary waters to local water utilities.
Women and Water
Systematic re-review of WASH trials to assess women’s engagement in intervention delivery and research activities
This systematic re-review of water, sanitation and hygiene trials found that women play a critical but instrumentalized role in research and intervention activities. Research and interventions need to change to enable, and not hinder, gender equality.
- Bethany A. Caruso
- April M. Ballard
- Isha Ray
Quantifying women in the water workforce
Despite international policies promoting gender equality in water resources management, significant gender disparities persist globally, as women are less likely to be in the labour force than men. Addressing this issue requires closing the gender data gap, beginning with numerically assessing women’s representation in the sector to ensure sustainable and equitable water governance.
- Grace Oluwasanya
- Ayodetimi Omoniyi
- Kaveh Madani
CommentNature Water
Transforming sanitation to combat the global water crisis
Improving sanitation technology and service is imperative for everyone, in every country.
- Doulaye Kone
World ViewNature Water
Reorienting water and sanitation narratives towards sustainability transformations
Transformation narratives in water and sanitation emphasize public health and gender equality, yet miss a critical foundational perspective: planetary sustainability.
- Naomi Carrard
World ViewNature Water
Acknowledging, measuring and acting on the importance of water for food and nutrition
Recognizing the importance of experiences with water insecurity in the context of food and nutrition is a powerful way to act on the Food and Agriculture Organization’s call to “take water action for food and be the change” on World Food Day.
- Sera L. Young
- Hilary J. Bethancourt
- Edward A. Frongillo
CommentNature Water
Research and innovation missions to transform future water systems
The United Nation 2023 Water Conference offers a critical opportunity to catalyse actions and innovations that bring increased water security to vulnerable communities across the globe. Researchers have an important role in supporting the delivery of needed on-the-ground impact, but their work must be informed by the priorities and necessities of Global South implementors.
- D. Mark Smith
- Christopher Gordon
- Rachael McDonnell
CommentNature Water
Water is life, particularly for women
The health and non-health impacts of water collection and other water-related work should be monitored and considered in policies and programs to improve women’s lives.
- Bethany A. Caruso
World ViewNature WaterThe state of women in the water domain
Women are underrepresented at all levels in the formal water workforce, yet overrepresented in the unpaid work of managing water, sanitation and hygiene resources at the household level.
EditorialNature Water
Flood exposure and intimate partner violence in low- and middle-income countries
Flood exposure can increase the risk of intimate partner violence. Intra-household and societal gender inequalities can further exacerbate this vulnerability.
- Yichen Guo
- Yixiang Zhu
- Renjie Chen
ArticleNature Water
Flood-related violence against women
Extreme weather events are increasingly linked to violence. A new study finds that exposure to floods increases risk of intimate-partner violence among women, especially among more vulnerable populations.
- Adrienne Epstein
- Jason M. Nagata
- Sheri D. Weiser
News & ViewsNature Water
Evolving principles of women-led water diplomacy
Inclusive water and climate-related decision-making has never been more critical to supporting the foundations for a peaceful and secure future.
- Elizabeth Ann Koch
- Bethlehem Mengistu
CommentNature WaterEquality matters
In times of growing insecurity and pushbacks against gender equality, we honour International Women’s Day and the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
EditorialNature Water
