A Toolbox for Transformation: Water for Women's Solutions at World Water Week

On the final day of World Water Week, Water for Women hosted "Tools for Trust," showcasing innovative tools from partners to strengthen community engagement. The session emphasised the importance of inclusion and equity in building climate resilience and achieving SDG6.

Over the past six years, Water for Women projects across the Asia-Pacific region have produced crucial evidence on the role of inclusion and equity in bolstering both community and climate resilience. Central to these efforts has been the use of inclusive tools and approaches that amplify diverse voices—especially those of women and marginalised communities—within key decision-making processes. By prioritising these perspectives, climate-resilient solutions are not only more sustainable but also equitable, rooted in local contexts, and better equipped to address the needs of all community members.

"Clean water and sanitation for all is a universal right and critical for a climate-resilient future," said Joanna Mott, GEDSI Adviser for Water for Women. "But for all in access means by all in decision-making. Truly inclusive processes that are locally led are the pathways to solutions that make this possible."

"For all in access means by all in decision-making. Truly inclusive processes that are locally led are the pathways to solutions that make this possible."

- Joanna Mott, GEDSI Adviser Water for Women

A Marketplace of Innovative Tools

The interactive session provided a platform for Water for Women and its partners to showcase a range of tools and approaches designed to promote collaboration, reduce social and regional inequalities, and contribute to the achievement of SDG6 targets. These tools demonstrated how trust, accountability, and equity can be seamlessly integrated into water and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs.

Key tools presented included:

• Saniwall: Developed by CFAR India, Saniwall is an interactive community dashlboard that empowers communities to lead inclusive, climate-resilient WASH service delivery. By identifying barriers and fostering local leadership, Saniwall translates policies into actionable solutions while institutionalising gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) in WASH governance.

• Period Pathways: Created by iDE Global, this human-centered design tool provides a comprehensive and empathetic framework for addressing the complexities of menstrual health and hygiene (MHH). Using techniques like card sorting and persona development, it offers practical solutions for improving MHH outcomes through a structured, community-driven approach.

• Transformative leadership and Climate Heroes: Developed by SNV and the UTS-Institute for Sustainable Futures, this tool equips emerging local government leaders in countries like Laos, Bhutan, and Nepal with the skills to advocate for, plan, and implement climate-resilient and inclusive WASH services. The approach builds leadership capacity to support long-term, inclusive development.

• GEDSI resilience building of climate risks: Designed by WaterAid and UTS-ISF in Timor-Leste, and now being adapted and applied in PNG, this tool engages local stakeholders in understanding the diverse impacts of climate change on WASH systems. It emphasises the critical role of gender equality and social inclusion in building climate resilience, helping communities develop WASH systems adaptable to emerging climate challenges.

The Importance of Trust and Accountability

These tools demonstrate how trust, accountability, and equity principles can be seamlessly integrated into WASH programs. By applying these resources, stakeholders can foster trust, build systems of accountability, and enhance resilience in a changing climate.

As Naomi Carrard from UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures emphasised, "The session showcased tools designed for engagement, fostering trust, building partnerships – all foundational for achieving inclusion, climate resilience, and empowering people to work together."

"The session showcased tools designed for engagement, fostering trust, building partnerships – all foundational for achieving inclusion, climate resilience, and empowering people to work together."

- Naomi Carrard, UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures

Tools for Trust and Transformation

The session left participants with a deeper understanding of how to build trust and accountability mechanisms that strengthen cohesion, cooperation, and equitable access to WASH services in an increasingly challenging climate.

The key message was clear: Tools for Trust are not just about practical solutions—they are about driving transformation. Embedding inclusive processes and approaches into WASH systems requires rethinking how programs are designed and implemented. By investing in processes, resources, capacities, knowledge, and structures that support transformation and accountability, we can create a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable future for all.

For links to the tools featured in the session, visit: Tools for Trust.