Advancing gender equality through water data.

The lack of sex disaggregated water data continues to mask how gender shapes access, decision making, and opportunities in the water field—an issue at the heart of this year’s World Water Day.

Gender shapes how people interact with water every day. It determines who collects it, who manages it, who makes decisions about it, and who benefits from it. Yet, in many countries, these differences remain invisible—simply because the right data does not exist.


The UN World Water Development Report 2026 “Water for all people: Equal rights and opportunities”- published by UNESCO on behalf of UN-Water - highlights that the global water crisis is aggravated by gender inequalities and the persistent lack of sex-disaggregated water data. Without data, it is more difficult for policymakers to fully understand how water issues affect different groups, slowing progress toward gender equality in the water sector.

Fostering sex-disaggregated data collection and capacity development through international water cooperation

To help bridge the data gap, UNESCO’s World Water Assessment Programme (WWAP), which coordinates the production of the UN World Water Development Report, has developed tools and training to collect and analyse sex-disaggregated water data. The goal: to make water management more inclusive and ensure everyone benefits.

Across the world, UNESCO is putting these tools into practice. In Montevideo, 21 water professionals from eight South American countries learned to use WWAP’s Toolkit to develop case studies and policy recommendations for more equitable water governance.

A pilot study in Fiji further demonstrated the impact of sex-disaggregated data. On Malolo Island, where residents rely entirely on rainwater and limited groundwater, surveys revealed gendered household roles, gaps in infrastructure, and skills needs. The findings showed how collecting gender-specific data can make water governance more resilient, inclusive, and effective—a model for other small island states.

Asia-Pacific stakeholders also gathered at the Public-Private Forum in Seoul to advance gender equality in the water sector. At this event, WWAP presented its Multi-stakeholder Coalition supporting the international Call for Action to Accelerate Gender Equality in the Water Domain, which was launched in 2021 to spur progress and develop concrete actions in this field.

Gender mainstreaming in transboundary water cooperation


Strengthening data systems also requires building capacities and fostering collaboration among institutions. UNESCO-led training programmes and field studies have shown how sex-disaggregated water data can generate new insights, support more inclusive policies, and guide decision-making at local, national, and transboundary levels.

The UN World Water Development Report 2026 emphasizes that improving water data is not just a technical issue but a governance priority. By investing in better data collection, analytical capacities, and gender-responsive indicators, countries can better understand water challenges and design policies that ensure equitable access to water resources and services.

Closing gender data gaps is a critical step toward sustainable development, stronger water security, and governance that reflects the needs and contributions of all.