Making the invisible visible at Expo Dubai Water Week

From 20–26 March, Australia Water Partners for Development will be supporting a range of activities at the World Expo in Dubai.

The World Expo in Dubai provides an opportunity to showcase Australian contributions to addressing global water challenges, and for Australian institutions to build international linkages and raise their profile on a global stage. The World Expo is a global mega-event with over 190 participating countries. The Australian Pavilion, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), will bring a piece of Australia to the Expo and play host to a targeted program of events that showcases the best of Australia. The Australian Pavilion will be involved in Water Week, one of ten theme weeks running throughout the six months of the Expo addressing global challenges for people and planet.

Australia Water Partners for Development is a collaboration between DFAT, the Water for Women Fund and the Australian Water Partnership - together, we will be hosting and participating in events focusing on valuing women and marginalised people in water resource management and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH). Some events will also coincide with World Water Day celebrations for 2022.

Water for Women @ExpoDubai2020

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

Date: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Time: 2:00- 4:00pm (GST), 8:00- 10:00pm (AEST)
Location: Women’s Pavilion and Zoom (and played on Expo digital channels as part of the Water Week program)
Convenors: DFAT; AWP; Water for Women; Women’s Pavilion organising committee

Across the world, women play a key role in household WASH and the management of water resources. Women make up half of the world’s population, yet a significantly smaller proportion of women hold decision-making roles within communities, businesses, government, and research positions addressing water issues. Women and other marginalised people need to be engaged in all aspects of water management so that they can benefit equally and contribute to solving the complex problems the sector faces. Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030—clean water and sanitation for all—will require all people to work together. 

In recognition of World Water Day and the 2022 theme of “Groundwater: Making the invisible visible”, join us in this event to celebrate diverse roles within WASH and across the water cycle.

The session will highlight real-world examples from the Indo-Pacific, Central Asia and the Middle East, advocating that supporting women and other marginalised people to contribute to decision making is the first step in achieving water and sanitation for all.

This session will be opened by Mr Jamie Isbister, Australia's Ambassador for the Environment.

Register now

Women at the Table: A cross-generational knowledge sharing and mentoring event

Date: Tuesday, 22 March 2022
Location: Australian Pavilion
Convenors: AWP; Water for Women

Women’s World Majlis – A Thirst for Equality

Date: Thursday, 24 March 2022
Location: Women’s Pavilion
Convenors: Women’s Pavilion organising committee
Participating: AWP; Water for Women; and representatives from international organisations

Learn more

For more information, visit the event website here.