WaterAid Calls For Accelerated Action On Gender Equality In WASH For Women

WaterAid Calls For Accelerated Action On Gender Equality In WASH For Women

Evelyn Mere, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, has urged for increased efforts towards achieving gender equality in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for women…….READ MORE

In a statement released to mark International Women’s Day 2025, Mere highlighted that women and girls bear the greatest burden of WASH-related disparities. According to the 2021 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) survey, 69% of Nigerian households rely on women and girls to fetch water, often from distant and unsafe sources, putting them at risk of health hazards and safety threats.

Mere emphasized that in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 80% of households without direct access to water depend on women and girls for water collection, which limits their opportunities for education and economic activities, thus impeding the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She argued that increasing access to safe WASH, protecting women’s educational rights, promoting their dignity, and enhancing their ability to contribute to national development are crucial steps toward progress.

WaterAid empowers women in WASH through skills training, leadership opportunities, and community engagement. Mere called on governments, development partners, and the private sector to invest in inclusive WASH systems that ensure women are not only beneficiaries but also leaders and decision-makers.

She also pointed out that the completion and approval of the National WASH and Menstrual Health and Hygiene Management Policies, which are currently in development, would be an important step forward.

On this International Women’s Day, Mere reiterated the call for all stakeholders to invest in inclusive WASH systems, ensuring that women play a central role in decision-making processes. She stressed that these policies would serve as a strong foundation for achieving gender equality in WASH and improving the lives of women across Nigeria.