Resilient by Nature: Designing an Inclusive, Sustainable and Thriving Water Sector

This webinar will examine how the water sector can shift from relying on individual resilience—particularly among women—to intentionally designing workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Studies show that organisations with more diverse workforces and leadership teams consistently achieve higher profitability, stronger productivity, and improved innovation—making inclusion a business imperative as well as a social one.

The discussion will also apply a gender-equality lens on the term prosperity, focusing not just on profit but how well designed and inclusive systems can support better sanitation, improved facilities and, therefore, opportunities for women and girls globally.

By designing inclusive workplaces, and supporting infrastructure, the water sector can unlock performance, strengthen sustainability, and support a more prosperous future for all.

This webinar will mark the launch of the Women in Water (WiW) programme for IWA World Water Congress 2026 in Glasgow.

Check out more details here : IWA Communities

The webinar is open and accessible to all, however, its primary audience is:

• Women in mid- to senior-level roles in the water industry and those on leadership pathways
• Senior leaders and executives in water utilities, regulators, and water service providers
• HR, people, and organisational development leaders in the water sector
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) professionals within infrastructure and utilities
• Policy makers and sector regulators focused on workforce sustainability and inclusion

The webinar would also suit individuals working in NGOs, the supply chain, professional bodies and industry associations supporting gender equity, ESG, policy and sustainability

Following this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand and articulate gender inequalities in water access, sanitation, governance, and service delivery, and how these are linked to the resilience and prosperity of the water sector.
• Explain how gender equality Sustainability Development Goals (SDG 5) and clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) are interconnected and mutually reinforcing.
• Recognise the barriers and enablers that shape women’s participation and influence in water policy, design and governance.
• Describe how women’s leadership, and more inclusive leadership in general, contributes to more resilient, equitable water systems and services.
• Recognise the role of allies and partnerships in driving systemic change.
• Understand the different aspects of resilience and prosperity on a personal, professional and institutional level.
• Understand the proposed programme for Women in Water at the 2026 Congress in Glasgow, and how to get involved.
• Feel empowered to attend the IWA Water Congress and build a network with other water industry professionals.