Water for Peace: Women for Global Water Cooperation
In a world walking on the edge of environmental catastrophe, one element stands at the heart of both conflict and potential resolution- water. As we commemorated World Water Day 2024 earlier this week, ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) urges, along with the women and girls in the communities, the world to recognize the critical role water plays in fostering peace, stability, and sustainable development.
Water has the power to either nurture harmony or trigger conflicts. Scarce resources, polluted waters, and unequal access can fuel tensions within and between communities. According to sobering statistics from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, over 2.2 billion people still lack safely managed drinking water. Shockingly, 115 million rely on contaminated surface water for survival. The gravity of these figures cannot be overstated - they represent not just numbers, but millions of lives impacted by water-related crises.
The transboundary nature water resources, including rivers, have compounded the problem. According to UN, more than 3 billion people worldwide depend on water that crosses national borders. Yet, cooperation agreements for shared water bodies are miserably inadequate, with only 24 countries having comprehensive agreements. This lack of cooperation intensifies tensions and leaves vulnerable populations at the mercy of geopolitical dynamics.
Amidst these challenges, it is crucial to acknowledge how vulnerable populations, particularly women, are disproportionately affected by water-related crises. In many regions, including Bangladesh and other parts of South Asia, women often bear the burden of inadequate water management. They are responsible for water collection, sanitation, and hygiene practices within their households, placing them at the forefront of climate impacts. When water becomes scarce or contaminated, women's burden multiply as they spend more time and effort for securing water, especially safe drinking water for their families, often at the expense of their health, they have to forgo education, and economic opportunities. Thus, addressing water management issues is not only an environmental imperative but also a matter of gender equality and social justice.
However, there is hope in collective action. When we come together to manage water resources sustainably, we unleash a ripple effect of positivity. Cooperation on water issues stimulates harmony, generates prosperity, and builds resilience to shared challenges. By balancing everyone's water needs and promoting equitable access, we can stabilize communities and nations alike.
At the heart of ActionAid Bangladesh advocacy efforts for water justice lies a commitment to promoting sustainable water management practices and equity. Through initiatives focused on water conservation, advocating for clean water access, and highlighting the value of water in communities, AAB works tirelessly to empower communities and advocate for their water rights. Our activities and events on sustainable water management aim to raise awareness, encourage dialogue, and foster alliances, programmatic interventions including building capacity of the women in community to preserve and manage water resources; contributing to global efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 of clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.
As we celebrate World Water Day at the grassroots level in 2024, under the global theme "Water for Peace," ActionAid Bangladesh reaffirms its dedication to involving local communities in the fight for water security. Through activities like awareness sessions, rallies, and art competitions, we engage children, women, and youth in discussions and actions related to water issues and solutions. We believe that by empowering communities to take ownership of water management, we can pave the way for a sustainable water future for all.
Yet, the challenges we face are daunting. According to water.org, in Bangladesh alone, 40% of the population lacks access to safe water, highlighting the urgent need for action. Across South Asia, water scarcity, pollution, and inadequate infrastructure pose significant obstacles to sustainable water management. Climate change further exacerbates these issues, altering rainfall patterns and intensifying extreme weather events.
In the face of these challenges, we call upon governments, civil societies, international organizations, the private sector, and world leaders to prioritize water cooperation as a cornerstone of peacebuilding and sustainable development efforts. We must recognize that water knows no borders and that our shared future depends on collaborative action. Therefore, we urge stakeholders to commit to strengthening cooperation mechanisms for transboundary water management, investing in sustainable water infrastructure and conservation efforts, empowering local communities to participate in decision-making processes, and ensuring equitable access to clean water and sanitation for all.
As we navigate the complexities of the 21st century, let us remember that water is not just a resource but a symbol of hope and unity. By coming together to address water challenges, we can build a more peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world for generations to come. Let us flow toward peace, hand in hand, guided by the currents of cooperation and compassion.
Author’s Brief:
Farah Kabir,
Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh