Special focus: Gender mainstreaming

Supporting gender mainstreaming in water resources management at all levels

Women leaving a village meeting in Belo Jiganfoy, Ethiopia – Reem Hajjar, OSU, 2016

Gender equality and social inclusion are core values in our work with implementation of integrated water resources management. Mainstreaming of gender in countries’ water resources management is a key strategy enable achievement of SDG target 6.5, but also, in the indivisible spirit of the SDGs, many other related targets, and therefore remains a central focus of our work and that of the SDG 6 IWRM Support Programme.

More information on the latest activities within gender-mainstreaming in the sections below.

Latest activities on gender

International Women’s Day 2026 calls for Rights, Justice, and Action

March 6, 2026

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.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2026: Interview Soledad Berbel Roman

February 11, 2026

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, we spoke with Soledad Berbel Roman, who shares her thoughts on what inspires her work and how we can open more pathways for women and girls in water science.

UN Women: The Gender Snapshot 2025

September 17, 2025

The Gender Snapshot 2025, produced by UN Women and UN DESA, highlights alarming setbacks in achieving gender equality by 2030, including under SDG 6. It warns about persistent inequalities and inadequate funding and provides both case studies about services gaps and success stories.

Progress on the Sustainable Development Goals: The Gender Snapshot 2025

The 2025 SDG Gender Snapshot publication examines all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presenting updated data and insights on gender equality progress and disparities, including on water resources management.

Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Water Resources Management: Global status and 7 pathways to progress

The 2025 Policy Note on Mainstreaming Gender in Water Resources Management serves as a call to action for practitioners in water management and gender mainstreaming. With only five years left to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 on gender equality and SDG 6 on water and sanitation, urgent action is needed to scale up efforts and accelerate joint progress.

2024 edition of online course: Gender and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)

Gender and Integrated Water Resources Management, developed in partnership with UNEP -DHI,  Cap-Net UNDP, Gender Water Alliance (GWA) and Global water Partnership (GWP), is an online, free and self-paced course that offers six modules designed to help practitioners integrate gender in all aspects of sustainable water management.

Advancing towards gender mainstreaming in water resources management

The report showcases a range of practices on how countries have advanced women’s participation in water management and provides recommendations on how to replicate and upscale those practices, seen through the lens of seven enablers.

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UNEP DHI Partnership – Centre on Water and Environment

Agern Allé 5, 2970 Denmark

Tel: +45 45169200

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