World Water Day 2026: »Where water flows, equality grows«

Today we mark World Water Day, whose purpose is to raise awareness about the importance of drinking water, the sustainable use of water, and other related challenges such as hygiene and health. Since 1993, following the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 22^nd March has each year highlighted the importance of water from different perspectives. This year’s theme focuses on water and its connection to gender equality.

In Europe, it is difficult to imagine that someone might live without access to water at home or without proper sanitation infrastructure. Yet according to UNICEF data, in 2025 more than two billion people (over 25 % of the world’s population) lacked access to safe drinking water, nearly 3.5 billion people did not have access to adequate sanitation, and around 1.7 billion people lacked basic hygiene services[1].

These conditions particularly affect the most vulnerable – including children. In war and conflict zones, for example, children are three times more likely to die from lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene than from the conflict itself. At the same time, water-related challenges are not gender neutral – they disproportionately affect women and girls, further deepening existing gender inequalities.

Access to clean water, adequate sanitation infrastructure, and conditions for maintaining personal hygiene is essential for the survival, health, safety, and dignity of every woman and girl.

Women and girls carry a heavier burden when water sources and sanitation facilities are inadequate or inaccessible. Traditionally, women are primarily responsible for securing and maintaining clean water. If the water source is far from the home or village, women are the ones who walk long distances every day to fetch water. On these journeys they may be exposed to violence, while the heavy physical burden and other factors also pose health risks.

Because of the time spent collecting water, women often lack time for farming, food production, or seeking other forms of employment, which makes them economically and financially dependent on their husbands. Girls, too, often miss school because they must help fetch water, which negatively affects their education and future employment opportunities.

Access to sanitation facilities is also extremely important for women and girls. Without access to safe and private sanitation facilities, women often have privacy only at night when relieving themselves outdoors, which exposes them to physical and sexual violence, health problems, and psychological stress. Many girls also miss school during menstruation because schools lack adequate sanitation facilities or reliable access to water.

Furthermore, water governance systems often exclude women and girls from decision-making processes, leadership roles, financing, and representation. This means that the global water crisis is also a crisis affecting women[2].

Addressing these challenges requires a transformative, rights-based approach that recognizes women’s roles and includes their voices. Women must be equally represented at all levels of water governance—from planning every pipe or tap to shaping policies. Men and boys must act as allies who

promote safe access to drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene for all, and who challenge norms and behaviors that prevent women and girls from participating equally in decision-making. This is why this year’s campaign is called »Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.«

At Zavod Krog, through our development and humanitarian projects we contribute to improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation, with special attention to women and girls and the promotion of gender equality.

• In Sudan (2023–2025) we helped ensure reliable access to water in schools and in centers for internally displaced persons. A Water Committee was established to maintain and manage the infrastructure and ensure its sustainability. Improved access to water reduced the time and financial costs of obtaining water and lowered exposure to water-borne diseases, for example during cholera outbreaks.

• In North Macedonia and Lebanon (projects launched in January 2026), access to drinking water and improved hygiene conditions will be provided particularly for female-headed households. When water, sanitation infrastructure, and hygiene facilities are ensured, women have more time for themselves, personal development, or additional income, while girls can attend school regularly. Cleanliness and family health improve, as do education levels and income. This leads to the economic and social empowerment of women and girls, strengthens their role in decision-making, and ultimately improves the well-being of communities and society as a whole.

[1] UN-Water_Water_Facts_one_pager_September2025.pdf

[2] World Water Day | UN-Water