Water governance

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.

Bringing over testimonials from community leaders, women, youth and indigenous communities from different continents on how they deal with access to water, how they manage it, how they participate on decision-making processes related to water and how they would change in the water sector of today.

"Access to information on the state and evolution of water resources and their uses is an imperative need and a major challenge to establish an inclusive governance framework that takes into account in a structured manner the different links of integrated water management.

The COVID-19 pandemic has acted as a magnifying glass on pressing water and sanitation challenges in Africa, especially for the 56% of the urban population living in informal settlements, lacking access to proper hygiene conditions. Climate change, urbanisation and population growth will add further pressure on water resources. This session will aim at raising the profile of Mayors and City leaders in enhancing water security in Africa. Participants will discuss challenges and opportunities towards water security in Africa.

According to the OECD Principles on Water Governance, effective, efficient and inclusive water governance is key to guarantee enhanced water security and better access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. As “one cannot improve what cannot be measured” measuring the economic, social and environmental impacts of water governance, would provide evidence on tangible results to governments, citizens, businesses and services. The session will discuss existing tools, methodologies and guidelines to measure the impacts of water governance.