Guterres on World Water Day: Access to safe water is key to gender equality and the health of women and girls
In his message on World Water Day, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized that access to safe water and sanitation is essential to protect the health rights and dignity of women and girls, and called on governments to take more serious measures in this regard.
She warned that women and girls in areas with inadequate water and sanitation services bear the brunt. Many are forced to spend hours fetching water, use unsanitary facilities, care for patients from contaminated water, and are often deprived of education and opportunities.
Referring to this year’s theme, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” Guterres said that improving access to water can play a key role in advancing gender equality, and called for governments to invest more in water and sanitation networks, strengthen the workforce, provide sustainable finance, and involve women in decision-making.
He also called on developed countries to support the creation of resilient infrastructure in developing countries by transferring technology, expertise, and funding.
The UN Secretary-General emphasized that water scarcity can fuel conflict but also strengthen cooperation and peace, and concluded by saying, “Let’s turn water into a force for gender equality.”
