The extensive analysis of gender-related achievements and challenges in the water domain carried out by the Water and Gender working Group led by UNESCO WWAP clearly suggests that - despite advances at international policy-level - progress in the fulfilment of the basic right of gender equality in water and sanitation is not on track. Women remain underrepresented with respect to employment and participation to decision-making at all levels in the water domain. Eight years to the end-date of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, bold and ambitious concrete action is urgently needed.
Unlocking progress towards gender equality in water needs solid knowledge, practical solutions, and collaborative action. UNESCO WWAP together with a Multi-stakeholder Coalition, which includes Member States’ institutions, international and regional organizations, academia and NGOs, is leading a global Call for Action for accelerating progress towards gender equality in the water domain and building just and resilient societies.
This special session presents the efforts on the ground to reach the common goal and to close the data gap in the water sector in pursuit of gender equality. Mobilised by the Call for Action Initiative, a number of organizations and experts will discuss strategies and good practices in overcoming persistent gender-related challenges in water. Similarly, the session will explore how decision makers in different global regions are addressing gender inequalities in water governance and in adaptive integrated water management, as well as share knowledge on approaches to increase the resilience and inclusion of community members.
13:30 - Opening of the Special Session
Introduction and welcome remarks by the Master of Ceremony
Ms. Enang Moma Efiom, National Professional Officer at UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office Abuja
Welcoming words
Ms. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences of UNESCO
Message from the hosting country – Senegal
H.E. Mr. Serigne Mbaye Thiam, Minister of Water and Sanitation
Call for Action Multi-Stakeholder Coalition members: Messages from High Level Country Representatives
Member States’ support to the Initiative and Introduction to the 2023 International Water Decade Mid-Term Commemoration
• H.E. Mr. Borut Pahor, President of Slovenia
• H.E. Mr. Laurent Tchagba, Minister of Hydraulics of Ivory Coast
• H.E. Mr. Suleiman Hussein Adamu, Minister of Water Resources of Nigeria
• H.E. Ms. Marina Sereni, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy
Overcoming inequalities in water: advancing access to safe drinking water and sanitation
• Mr. Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation
Presentation of the Call for Action Initiative – The way forward
• Ms. Michela Miletto, Director and Coordinator, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme
Messages from the Call for Action Multi-Stakeholder Coalition members: moving forward
National and regional actions to accelerate gender equality in water
• Ms. Euphrasie Kouassi Yao, Advisor to the President on gender issues, UNESCO Chair, Ivory Coast
• Ms. Maminah Carr-Gaye, Assistant Minister at Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Liberia
• Ms. Silvia Chávez Cereceda, Director International Cooperation Office, CONAGUA, Mexico
• Mr. Omogbemi Omoloju Yaya, Director of Regional Centre for Integrated River Basin Management (RC-IRBM), National Water Resources Institute, Kaduna, Nigeria
• Ms. Amel Hamza, Division Manager of Gender and Women Empowerment Division and Gender Specialist at African Development Bank
• Ms. Comfort Kanshio, ASPG Support Officer and Gender Focal Point at African Ministers’ Council on Water (AMCOW)
• Ms. Lesha Witmer, Steering Committee Member, Women for Water Partnership
• Ms. Maha Al-Salehi, Coordination Team, Mediterranean Youth for Water Network
• Ms. Oriana Romano, Head of Unit Water Governance and Circular Economy, OECD
Closing Remarks
• Mr. Rashid Mbaziira, Executive Secretary AMCOW
• Ms. Laura Imburgia, Senior Water and Gender Programme Specialist, UNESCO World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP)
UNESCO WWAP, Intergovernmental Organization
