Driving Water Action for a Resilient and Prosperous Future in 2026

By Dr Annalisa Contos, IWA Water Safety Planning SG Management Committee, Women in Water

As we prepare for the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026, one truth stands out clearly: achieving resilience and prosperity through water action demands justice, inclusion, and the full participation of women and girls. Around the world, gender inequality continues to limit access to water, sanitation, safety, education, and economic opportunity.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls, aligns powerfully with the Congress theme of Water action – the path to resilience and prosperity. Sustainable water futures are only possible when women and girls have the rights, resources, and leadership opportunities they deserve.

Women’s leadership advancing water action

Across the IWA network, women leaders, scientists, innovators, and emerging professionals are already driving transformational change in water governance, climate adaptation, and service delivery. Their leadership helps ensure that solutions reflect the lived realities of diverse communities, particularly those most affected by climate and water insecurity.

At the IWA WWCE 2026, we are intentionally making this leadership visible because representation across technical sessions, plenaries, programme committees, and high-impact platforms is essential. This visibility not only strengthens decision-making and broadens who is recognised and who sees themselves as a leader in water, but also deepens the connections that shape our sector. By creating spaces where diverse leaders can meet, share ideas, and collaborate, we expand opportunities for networking, build stronger professional relationships, and help grow a more connected and resilient water community impact platforms is essential. 

Justice and equity as foundations for resilience

Resilience is not just technical; it is social. Without gender justice, water systems cannot fully serve society or withstand the pressures of climate change.

Advancing justice for women and girls requires systemic action from institutions, leaders, partners, and allies across all genders. This includes:

• Ensuring women’s rights and needs shape policies and investments
• Removing structural barriers to leadership and professional advancement
• Challenging norms that limit participation or silence expertise
• Embedding gender responsive approaches in water and sanitation programmes 

When we pursue justice, we build stronger institutions and fairer outcomes and strengthen the resilience of entire communities. 

Action: moving beyond inclusion to shared power

The IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2026 offers an opportunity to move beyond participation towards shared influence. This includes who sets agendas, chairs sessions, mentors others, and creates space for different voices to be heard.

Through the IWA Women’s Leadership Network and a broad coalition of committed allies, we are expanding pathways for women and girls across generations, disciplines, and regions. These connections reflect the collective nature of effective water management and ensure that action is informed by a wider range of knowledge and experiences.

A call to action for allies across the water sector

Achieving justice and rights for women and girls requires active, intentional allyship. Meaningful action can begin with deliberate and practical steps.

• Use your influence to advocate for diverse speakers, leaders, and contributors
• Sponsor and mentor women and emerging professionals into visible roles
• Share platforms, acknowledge contributions openly, and amplify voices that are often overlooked
• Challenge exclusionary norms and model inclusive leadership in everyday practice

Progress accelerates when those with influence choose to use it in the service of equity and justice.

A resilient and prosperous future starts with justice

The IWA WWCE 2026 theme reminds us that water action is essential to resilience and prosperity. The IWD 2026 theme reminds us that this action must be grounded in rights, justice, and equity.

When women and girls are empowered through rights, representation and leadership, the benefits extend far beyond individuals. Institutions become stronger. Communities become more resilient. The water sector also becomes more capable of meeting the challenges of a changing climate.

Together, we can ensure that IWA WWCE 2026 becomes not only a showcase of technical excellence, but also a milestone for justice, gender equity, and inclusive leadership across the global water community.