UN Women Policy Brief: Mainstreaming gender equality in water resources management: Global status and 7 pathways to progress.
This policy brief highlights the urgent need to integrate gender considerations into water management to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 (gender equality) and 6 (clean water and sanitation). With only five years remaining to meet these targets, the document emphasizes accelerating action to close existing gaps in gender mainstreaming within the water sector. Gender integration in water management is crucial for both gender equality and water security, especially in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution crises.
However, progress remains slow and uneven across different regions. While many countries have policies promoting gender equality in water governance, implementation often lags behind due to systemic barriers. According to data from SDG indicator 6.5.1, significant challenges persist in translating commitments into concrete action.
