Amplifying the value of women in water and WASH at Expo 2020 Dubai

Australia Water Partners for Development (Team Australia) has been well represented at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai this March.

Led by The Australian Water Partnership (AWP), in collaboration with Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Water for Women, Team Australia’s presence at the Expo has brought to the surface examples of how we can and are making the invisible visible in water resource management, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH).

Participating in a range of events during the Expo, including celebrating World Water Day on 22^nd March, during World Water Week, we were pleased to be joined by Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment, Mr Jamie Isbister who spoke highly of both AWP and Water for Women and highlighted the critical importance of water, and the lack of access to it as the biggest factor that is undermining progress in development and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

“Making the invisible visible is a fundamental challenge we face…in ensuring women and girls have access to not only water, but safe drinking water… development, human dignity and economic empowerment more broadly.”

Mr Jamie Isbister, Australia's Ambassador for the Environment

Below we share a wrap on the events that Water for Women participated in and some of the work that was highlighted, you can also catch up on the sessions via the recordings.

The World Expo is a global mega-event that takes place every five years, with 190 participating countries, with rotating hosts. Expo 2020 Dubai has been running since November 2021, having been postponed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through The Australian Pavilion, DFAT has been showcasing Australian contributions to addressing global challenges for people and planet (including water), and Australian institutions that are driving progress in addressing these challenges. As part of Team Australia, Water for Women has been privileged to be involved in this event.

Making the invisible visible: Valuing women and marginalised people in water management and WASH 

22^nd March

During this hybrid in-person and online event, we heard from water and WASH experts across the Asia Pacific, Central Asia and Middle East regions on the central role women (who make up half the world’s population) play in household WASH and management of water resources, and yet despite this, make up a significantly smaller proportion of decision making roles within communities, businesses, government, and research positions addressing water issues. This must change!

As Brian Gleeson, Water for Women’s representative on the ground explained in his opening remarks,

“while it’s important to acknowledge the vulnerabilities and disadvantages faced by women, girls and other marginalised groups, it is equally important to recognise and support the knowledge and capacities they have to drive change at the community, national and international levels. Their participation and knowledge are integral to the development of effective and lasting solutions.”

As part of the session, we were pleased to share the work of our partner, SNV in Laos and Chomsy Ngamvilay who is driving inclusive COVID-19 and WASH responses that transform lives.

This session ended with an incredible panel of speakers (pictured above with Mr Jamie Isbister) from across the water, WASH, university, research and government sectors and spanning a range of questions and topics, the recording is well worth a watch.

The panel members, along with their “call to action” take away messages at the end of the panel, included (from second on left-right):

“Listen and learn – we have to change as we work with people, that’s the example that helps to change things”

Dr Brenda Dobia  Adjunct Fellow, Western Sydney University (Online)

“Respect – to be able to achieve change, you have to be able to respect the positions of all those who are engaged in the conversation and the  bring others into the conversation… the behavior that you walk past is the behavior that you accept, be prepared to question it. Don’t inflame it, but be prepared to question it.”

The Hon Karlene Maywald, South Australia Water Ambassador

“Men need to stand up in support of women, voices and solutions or stand aside, and let women deliver better outcomes.”

Brian Gleeson, Project Director TSSP, International Development Assistance, GHD (representing Water for Women)

“Courage and Curiosity – the gentle and patient way women are driving change… and don’t be afraid to ask questions”

Sarah Ransom, General Manager, Australian Water Partnership (Online)

“We need to continue to make the invisible visible, but once we make them visible, we have to make sure that we share evidence and that we are transparent with the findings, case studies and success. It is always see it to believe it and always actions speak louder than voices. It’s good to showcase best practice to the younger generation, education, capacity building, development are key because people need the values-systems, ecosystems, enablers to help us make sure the change is sustainable.”

Dr. Tarifa A. Alzaabi, Acting Director General, International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA)

“Encourage and support women to be more involved in water management, they can bring a perspective that can drive better solutions, more sustainable water management. Just believe that they can do anything.”

Prof. Basant Maheshwari, Professor at Western Sydney University

Our thanks also to Nada Abubakr (far left), Managing Director, Isle Utilities Middle East who did a fantastic job of facilitating this session. 

The above is just a taste of the insights and experience of this panel, you can view the whole session below.

Women’s World Majlis – A Thirst for Equality
Addressing the Challenges in Accessing Water Resources

24th March

This session sought to answer:

• How can and do women contribute to, benefit from, and make decisions in water resources management and governance?
• What does sustainable water management look like regionally and globally? Are these efforts environmentally conscious?
• What positive spillover effects does society have when women have adequate and equal access to water facilities and supplies?

From left to right: The Hon Karlene Maywald, South Australia Water Ambassador, H.E. Ilya Espino de Marotta Deputy Administrator and Vice President for Operations, Panama Canal Authority, Salma bin Breik Advisory Leader, GHD Pty Ltd, UAE, Fariel Salahuddin Founder and Chief Executive Officer, UpTrade, Pakistan

Learn more about this event and speakers

Other sessions Water for Women participated in included Women at the Table: A cross-generational knowledge sharing and mentoring event held on the 22nd March.