Gender, Water and Sanitation: a Policy Brief

This policy brief was developed by the Inter-agency Task Force on Gender and Water (GWTF), a sub-programme of both UN-WAter and the Interagency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE) in support of the International Decade for Action, "Water for Life, " 2005-2015.

Because of their dependence on water resources, women have accumulated considerable knowledge about water resources, including location, quality and storage methods. However, efforts geared towards improving the management of the world’s finite water resources and extending access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation, often overlook the central role of women in water management.

This policy brief describes the current status, the issues of particular concern and recommends areas for action.