On March 8, people around the world celebrate International Women’s Day 2026 (IWD 2026) under the theme ‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls’. The global call to action urges governments, institutions, and communities to dismantle the structural barriers that continue to deny women and girls equal rights and participation – including in decisions about how the world’s water resources are governed.

Persistent Gaps in Gender Equality for Water Governance

Only 27% of countries report that they have largely achieved gender objectives in their national water management frameworks. At the same time, the global average score for gender mainstreaming in water resources management stands at just 58% – still far from the 90–100% target set for 2030.

With only four years remaining to achieve SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 6 (Water & Sanitation), accelerating progress is no longer optional — it is urgent.

Turning Commitments Into Action

The Policy Note on Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Water Resources Management, developed by UNEP-DHI together with UN Women and the Global Water Partnership, highlights good practice examples where meaningful change is already happening.

Read the Policy Note and explore real examples of change in action below.