Without water, life on earth simply is not possible. Equally important is equitable distribution and management of water that accounts for the role of gender. Celebrated annually on 22 March, World Water Day is a time to focus and advocate for sustainable management of fresh water resources. This year’s UN World Water Day has a focus on Water and Gender. Safe drinking water and sanitation are fundamental human rights and enablers of gender equality. 

NbS initiatives have held space and focus for the intersection of gender and equal access to clean water, from on the ground experience to University classrooms skilling the next generations on water management. For example, in the NBS4Drought project, women in science were highlighted as a part of the International Day of Women and Girls in Science Campaign. 

In the MULTISOURCE project, a dedicated gender expert has facilitated sessions to make clear the link between gender and water management, which has resulted in a dedicated policy brief, Integrating Gender into Research and Innovation: From Policy to Practice. NICE NbS also considers gender from its support of women in science to its planning of its pilots and has a project partner consulted regularly for these considerations. 

Together NbS projects are powerful agents to innovate on water management that uses innovative technology while empowering communities and promoting gender equity. 

Want to learn more about water and NbS? Explore resources on NetworkNature. 

Read the MULTISOURCE Gender policy brief here.