America News Agency

The UN released its World Water Day 2026 message under the theme “Where water flows, equality grows.” It stated that the global water crisis affects everyone, but not equally, with women and girls facing more severe consequences.

In regions with limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation services, women bear the responsibility of water supply, management, and dealing with water-related diseases. This negatively impacts their time, health, safety, and education.

According to UN data, more than 1 billion women worldwide lack access to safe drinking water. Additionally, 1.8 billion people do not have water in their homes, and in two-thirds of households, water collection is primarily carried out by women. Women and girls spend a total of 250 million hours per day collecting water.

The statement highlighted that the water crisis is also a “women’s crisis” and that a rights-based and transformative approach is needed to address it. It stressed the importance of equal representation of women in water management, decision-making, and leadership.

It also pointed to increasing risks such as climate change, water-related disasters, and lack of financing, emphasizing the need to manage water as a shared resource with the participation of all. Men and boys should also play an active role in promoting equality.

The UN stated that the active participation of women in shaping water policies—from engineering to agriculture, from science to local leadership—will provide more inclusive and sustainable solutions.